As we approach Rosh Hashana, the New Year, we need to acknowledge the fact that it is a day when the King of Kings sits in awesome judgement overe every citizen of the Earth! On this day, He decides our fate both in this world and the next.
When someone is facing an earthly trial he uses every means (and trick) at his disposal in order to win a favorable judgement. Is there any way we could tip the scales to earn a favorable judgement?
Rav Yisrael Salanter, founder of the Mussar movement, offers an amazing tip on how we can merit to be inscribed in the Book of Life.
There is a Passuk in Haazinu that states Keil Emunah V’ain A’vel-the Almighty is trustworthy and he does no injustice. This is astonishing! Imagine if a person would come before a king and praise him by saying, “Your Majesty, you are not a criminal!” Would this be considered proper praise for a king? It is more like an insult, as if suggesting that the king may be suspected of having low moral character. How do we understand that Hashem is praised by saying He does no injustice?
Rav Salanter answers with the following idea. If a fellow is convicted of a heinous crime and is sentenced to life in prison, would the judge take in to account that the man’s wife and children will become virtual widow and orphans because of the sentencing? Of course not. The criminal must pay for his crime!
However, when Hashem judges a person, He simultaneously takes in to account all the person’s relatives, friends and aquaintances and how they will be affected by the sentencing! It follows that one who is benevolent, kind and helpful to others has a great “insurance policy” against bad judgement as they will be adversely affected if something happens to him!

This can be accomplished in so many ways even with a small deed. If something should happen to the fellow who collects the Siddurim in Shul every day, the entire Shul is losing their “siddur collector”! Someone who donates to a Tzedaka fund or smiles at all his co-workers is helping to insure himself against harm because those people need him.
ays Rav Yisrael Salanter that a way of meriting favorable judgement is by sincerely befriending and helping others, thereby insuring that one has many “dependents” and Hashem will be “forced” to judge him meritoriously! (Presumably, this goes hand in hand with the fact that he is improving his character and therefore he is doing a form of repentance).

By Rabbi Sharaga Thav
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