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The Gemara in Ta'anis (20A) brings the famous story of Rebbe Elazar (the son of Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai) who, after learning much Torah, was riding on his donkey near the river bank, in an ecstatic and satisfied state. Suddenly, a very not-nice-looking man appeared before him and greeted him. Rebbe Elazar, rather than return the greeting, responded by asking the man whether all the people in his city were as bad looking as he. The man responded that that he did not know, but that Rebbe Elazar, being such a noble person, should go back to the man's Maker, and tell Him how despicable His creations are. The Gemara then relates that Rebbe Elazar got off his donkey and begged the man for forgiveness. Rebbe Elazar learned the hard way that by disgracing a creation of Hashem, one is actually Chas V'Shalom, deprecating Hashem's decision as to what and how to create.
Rav Mattisyahu Salomon, Shlita (Matnas Chayim, page 181) explains this great lesson further: everything--meaning **every single thing**--is created by Hashem with His infinite, omniscient, incomprehensible wisdom--and for His honor. Accordingly, there is no room for terms such as 'ugly', 'disgusting' or the like to describe creations--and one who does so displays an arrogance, or at least an air of superiority, which actually touches upon Kefira (Chas VShalom)--denial of Hakadosh Baruch Hu's mastery over the world. Indeed, Rabbeinu Yonah (Shaarei Teshuva 3:175) explains the Posuk 'Loeg LaRosh Cheref Osehu (Mishlei 17:5)--he who mocks a poor man blasphemes his Maker--in this way. It follows that one who views all his successes as due to his skill, wisdom and acumen and another's lack of success as due to his personal incompetence, is truly a denier--for everything--every little thing-- is from Hashem. A Posuk found later in Mishlei (22:2) succinctly concludes, 'A rich man and a poor man met--Hashem is the Maker of them all.'
With this foundation of Emunah, Rav Salomon (based on the Ruach Chaim of Rav Chaim Volozhiner) explains the meaning of the words of Kaddish--'Be'Olma Di V'ra Cheirusay'--in the world that He created according to His will. Even though we do not understand the meaning and purpose of at least some of the creations, and there are things which appear to be missing or do not seemingly reflect Kavod Shomayim in the world, nonetheless, we recognize that since it was and is done all according to His will, it is, in fact, best and L'Kavod Shomayim. Any attempt we would make to belittle, disgrace, look down upon, void or destroy any object, other person, place or thing is an affront to, or perhaps better said--a violation of, our proper Emunah in HaKadosh Baruch Hu.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTION: Carefully monitor (or better yet, eliminate) use of the words 'ugly', 'gross', 'disgusting' and the like from your vocabulary, and, from time to time as you look at the sky, the trees, the rocks, the ants, the gnats and even your next door neighbor , remember, or if you can, exclaim 'Ma Rabu Ma'asecha Hashem' (Tehillim 104:24)--Hashem-how great are Your deeds!
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reprinted with permission with Hakhel MIS
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Important Numbers
