Harmlessness toward others: 'Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustingly near you.' 'Plot harm' (lo ta'arog ra'a) means to scheme, to engineer evil. The neighbor who 'lives trustingly' (yeshev betach) has placed himself in a vulnerable position through trust. To betray such trust is a particularly grievous violation. The verse teaches that wisdom includes refraining from wickedness toward those who have made themselves vulnerable to you. Trustworthy community is built on the refusal to exploit the vulnerable.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse