Megillah 6b – contending with the wicked

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  • #1578923
    DovidBT
    Participant

    Megillah 6b has a teaching by R’Yitzchak, “If you see a wicked person who is enjoying good fortune, do not contend with him, as it is said [Psalms 37:1]: ‘Do not contend with wicked men.'”

    Is there a a practical lesson to be derived from this? Does it mean that contending with the wicked leads us away from the Torah?

    What if the sinner is “in your face” and you can’t ignore him or the situation he’s creating?

    #1578971
    Reb Eliezer
    Participant

    How is it צדיק ורע לו a pious person and bad is happening to him, whereas רשע וטוב לו a wicked and good is hapenning to him? If a pious person does some bad, he gets punished on this world for it, whereas the wicked get rewarded in this world. Recognize that the wicked get rewarded for their demise because they think everything is fine and will not repent.

    #1579011
    DovidBT
    Participant

    @laskern

    But many pious people achieve success in this world, and many wicked people suffer misfortune.

    Anyway, I don’t see how that answers my questions regarding “contending with the wicked.”

    #1579016
    Reb Eliezer
    Participant

    The gemora Berochos 7:1 says that a צדיק גמור a pious person with no sins will be fully rewarded this world and next world, whereas a רשע גמור a wicked person with nothing good will be punished in this world and next world. It you only see the reward and punishment in this world than you might forget about the next world to come. The Ramban in Parshas Acharei says that it matters what your intentions are in doing mitzvos. If you do it for this world’s reward, so will you be rewarded in this world and if you do it for next world’s reward,you will be rewarded in the next world.

    #1579143
    DovidBT
    Participant

    @laskern

    I don’t think we’re communicating.

    #1579150
    Avi K
    Participant

    David, the reason is that he is on a roll and this might continue.

    As to the non-answers of Laskern, the Ramban also gives as a reason what has happened in previous gilgulim. For example, if Reuven died owing money to Shimon and Shimon did not forgive him they will come back as Reuven as a rich man supporting Shimon the poor man. See Taanit 25a for a hint at this.

    #1579262
    Reb Eliezer
    Participant

    If is a rasha lehachis, you will not be convince him just make him worse whichever way, if is doing well, he will say I am being rewarded, so I must be doing something right. and If is doing badly, he will say, G-d does not care about me, or there is ch’v no G-d.

    #1579260
    iacisrmma
    Participant

    DovidBT: Just trying to bolster what Avi K wrote, look at the last half of the 5th Perek of Megilas Esther (starting at passuk Tes). Haman thinks he is on a roll and describes all the good that has happened but then meets Mordechai who still doesn’t rise or move for him. The megilla then describes that Haman went home and devised a plot against Mordechai. Haman at that moment felt that he would succeed based on R’ Yitzchok’s teaching. However, since Mordechai ignored him and did not contend with him, Hashem reversed the fortunes and Mordechai and Klal Yisroel were saved.

    #1579445
    DovidBT
    Participant

    However, since Mordechai ignored him and did not contend with him, Hashem reversed the fortunes and Mordechai and Klal Yisroel were saved.

    I get the point that a wicked person may prevail over us because that’s what Hashem has decided.

    What I’m trying to understand is what we’re supposed to do when we’re in a situation where a wicked person is attacking us. For example, a wicked person is using the legal system against you.

    Do you just resign yourself to the fact that he’s going to win, and do nothing but pray and hope for the best?

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