ISSUES IN ETHICS

#5: DO NOT REJOICE

What Would You Do? 

Joe comes into your office, beaming with news about Sheila, a co-worker, who did not get the promotion she was expecting. Sheila has been so arrogant about her abilities, that you have really developed a dislike for her. When you hear the news, your first reaction is to share Joe’s delight. Joe says, “It’s about time she got what

she deserved.  A group of us are going out after work to celebrate. Do you want to come?

Will you join in the celebration?

The Mishnah Teaches

Shmuel Ha-Katan was accustomed to say: “Rejoice not when your enemy           falls; let not your heart be glad when another stumbles…”

                     Pirke Avot 4:19

Discussion Questions

The Mishnah says that not only should you not go with Joe for a drink, but you should also control your feelings of happiness. It is easy for us to understand a prohibition against action, but the rabbis interpret “rejoice” as an inward reaction.

q                  Why would the rabbis be so concerned with feelings?

q                  Which of the following would you consider to be unethical and why?

-                      Having the feeling

-                      Going with the feeling

-                      Sharing the feeling

-                      Acting on the feeling

Application/Experiences

q                  Have you ever rejoiced over someone else’s misfortune? How did it make you

feel afterward?

 q      Is it possible to train oneself to automatically reject such negative feelings?

Links!

Bureau of Jewish Education of Orange County

E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.bjeoc.org/