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When Men Claim to Speak for G-D

by Ram ben Ze'ev


When Men Claim to Speak for G-D
When Men Claim to Speak for G-D

There is a dangerous arrogance in the world: the belief that mortal men can speak on behalf of G-D. It is an ancient sin, warned against in the תורה (Torah - teaching), in הלכה (halakhah - Jewish law), and throughout the ספר הזוהר (Sefer HaZohar - Book of Splendour), the Holy Zohar.


The תורה (Torah - teaching) commands us to pursue justice, but it also commands humility before the Will of HaShem. No individual, no matter his knowledge or title, is given the power to declare himself the mouthpiece of the Divine. To do so is not only a distortion of הלכה (halakhah - Jewish law), but an act perilously close to idolatry itself.


Sadly, even within the gates of the synagogue, there are those who elevate themselves above their brethren. They judge others not according to the pure standards of the תורה (Torah - teaching), but according to politics, personal bias, and pride. They forget that in matters of doubt regarding identity, הלכה (halakhah - Jewish law) teaches that one must lean toward acceptance, not rejection. This principle is not a suggestion; it is a command to act with kindness and restraint.


The ספר הזוהר (Sefer HaZohar - Book of Splendour) reveals that when a man humiliates or casts aside his fellow Jew without cause, he damages not only the victim but the spiritual harmony of the entire world. Such acts are seen as fractures in the Divine structure, wounds inflicted upon the Shechinah Herself.


Men who claim to "speak for G-D" often build walls where there should be bridges, sow division where there should be unity. Instead of embodying the humility of משה רבנו (Moshe Rabbeinu - Moses our Teacher), who even when wronged pleaded for the sake of Israel, these men appoint themselves judges, juries, and executioners over the souls of others.


The gate to תשובה (teshuvah - repentance) remains open for all. But those who use G-D’s name to wound and exile their fellow Jews must know: it is not the approval of men they will require on the Day of Judgment, but the mercy of HaShem Himself. And mercy, once denied to others, may be denied to them.


We must be vigilant not to fall into the ancient sin of Korach, who cloaked rebellion against Heaven in the guise of piety. As it is written, “The secrets belong to HaShem our G-D, but that which is revealed belongs to us and our children” (דברים Devarim - Deuteronomy 29:28). True faith demands restraint in judgment, humility before the unknown, and compassion for every soul of ישראל (Yisrael - Israel).


Let us remember: to exile a Jew unjustly is to exile oneself from the presence of the Holy One, Blessed be He.


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