在妥拉经文《基多新》（Kedoshim）中，有一条来自上帝的诫命：“在你们的地收割庄稼，不可割到田角，也不可拾取所遗落的。葡萄园里未发的嫩枝，不可摘；葡萄园掉下来的果子，也不可拾取；要留给穷人和归信的人……” 我对这一段经文非常熟悉，多年来，我完全领悟了它神圣的目的，即引导我们将部分财产捐献给慈善机构。我一直铭记在心，并时刻提醒自己，我拥有的那些看似属于我的财产，其实是上帝的恩赐，祂赐予我的一小部分，是祂希望我去帮助那些有需要的人。 然而，在上个安息日，当我再次阅读这条诫命时，我又从另一个角度思考。我发现其中蕴含着另一种伟大的智慧，它真的可以应用于我们生活的任何领域。我发现它也告诉我，做任何事都不应该走极端。 我们应该永远给别人留点余地，留点宽容，留点风度。 如果我们精明，很好！但不要过分精明，因为那样做就是邪恶的； 如果我们面前摆满了美味佳肴，很好！但不要吃得太饱，因为那样做不利于健康； 如果我们锻炼身体强身，很好！但不要让自己筋疲力尽，因为那样做对身体有害； 如果我们是对的，我们赢了，而我们的对手/竞争对手错了，输了，那太好了！但不要炫耀，不要逼迫对手，给别人留点余地，因为那样对双方都有好处。 给别人留点余地，做任何事都要宽容大度，宽容大度。记住这一点非常重要。
In Torah portion, Kedoshim, there is this command from G-d: “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not complete your reaping to the corner of your field, and the gleanings of your harvest you shall not take. You shall not pick the undeveloped twigs of your vineyard; and the fallen fruit of your vineyard you shall not gather; for the poor and the proselyte shall you leave them…”
I am very familiar with this paragraph, and over the years I have fully digested its holy purpose of guiding us to give portions of our possessions to charity. I have kept it in the back of my mind, and always remind myself that what appears to be my possessions is a gift from G-d, and a small part of what He has given me He intends for me to give to others in need.
However, this past shabbat, as I was reading this command again, I thought of another angle. I see there is another great wisdom in it, which really can apply to any area of our life. I see that it also tells me that it is never right to go to extremes in anything we do.
We should always leave some room, some leniency, some grace, to others.
If we are shrewd, good! Just don’t be overly shrewd, for then it is wicked;
If we have an abundance of delicious food set before us, wonderful! Just don’t eat too full, for then it is unhealthy;
If we exercise to strengthen our body, fantastic! Just don’t get yourself exhausted, for then it is harmful to your body;
If we are right and we win, and our rival/competitor is wrong and loses, well, sweet! Just don’t show off, don’t corner the opposition, leave a little room for the other guy, for then it will be good for both.
Leave some room for others, be gracious, lenient, in everything we do. It is so important to remember.