Touching the Thing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) A prominent black Harvard University scholar has accepted an invitation to have a beer with President Barack Obama and the white police officer who arrested him in a racially charged case.

There is a Jewish legal imperative called Negia B’Davor/Touching the Thing which refers to a legal decision made by a judge who has a vested interest–he is touched by the thing. The human being is very vulnerable and because of this the Torah insists that judges be free from all possible influences in order to render a correct judgement. Our president is no different–this matter touched him.

There is no greater wisdom than the humility to admit mistake; those of lesser character find excuses. The human being was not made to be perfect; it is from our imperfection that our freedom stems. In heaven where the light of God is obvious, nothing is wrong and therefore there is no freedom–all must do as commanded. On the earth where light is hidden the human being with freedom of choice constantly struggles to be right.

The Zohar-Book of Secret written 2000 years ago in describing the outer six planets of our solar system states that Tavel, the name of our planet, is the highest of the seven worlds quoting Dovid in Tihilim/PSalms who said, Judge Tavel Righteous.