This passage from the Gemara is difficult to understand. How could Rebbe Tarfon say that there is nobody to give tochacha in his day? He was among the authors of the Mishna! Could they not safely tell their constituents not to talk during davening? What could the recipient respond back to Rebbe Tarfon or to any of his fellow tanaim? These Sages were so great that they had the ability to resurrect the dead.

The Toldos Yaakov Yosef explains that the entirety of the Jewish people form a single unit, a single organism. Perhaps one way of understanding this is to view the totality of all Jews as comprising the single body of Knesses Yisroel.

Any imperfection found in any part of the body is an imperfection in the entirety of the body. If the hand is missing a finger, the entire person is missing a finger. He goes further to explain that the leaders of the people influence the welfare of the people and only if there is an imperfection in the leader could there be an imperfection in the people.

It follows, therefore, that if people are talking during davening, evidently, the leader, too, is lacking somewhat. He goes on to explain, therefore, that the only way to be effective in giving tochacha is if the leader corrects his own shortcomings and perfects himself. Once that happens his influence will affect his people and then the recipient will surely accept the reprimand.

If the leader recognizes that all the people together form the single unit of Knesses Yisroel and only if there is a shortcoming at the top can there be something wrong elsewhere, then we can appreciate the intent of the end of the verse; “Do not carry on him any wrongdoing”. The Torah is telling the reprimander that when giving reprimand do not see the wrongdoing in the recipient rather in oneself.

Immediately following this verse the Torah instructs us not to hold a grudge or take revenge against our fellow Jew and that we must love our fellow Jew as we love ourselves. How do I control myself from holding a grudge against one who wronged me? How can I love another person as I love myself?

If we are able to incorporate the Toldos Yaakov Yosef’s insight into our perspective, although it may be difficult, we will be able to see every other Jew as an extension of our own existence. If we are both members of a single organism, Kensses Yisroel, it will be easier for me to care for another Jew as I would care for myself. It will be easier not to hold a grudge against another member of Knesses Yisroel to whom I belong.

Once we can see ourselves as nothing but a single member of Knesses Yisroel all strife, competition and jealousy will melt away.

Have a wonderful Shabbos.

Paysach Diskind