Joy and Caution
„The prayer within which are stored matters of hatred and enmity must come precisely from a heart that is entirely pure and holy to God.”From Birkat HaMinim, Olat Re'iyah
"At the destruction of the wicked, there is joyous song!" And great contentment descended into the world at the death of tyrants, and we must give thanks to the Holy One for the death of the wicked whose hands were full of blood. And alongside this, the Rav notes in his many writings the caution we must exercise over our soul. In days of war, the soul is liable to be greatly harmed, and as far as possible we must guard our soul – not because we do not rejoice at the death of the wicked, but in light of the fact that we must cleanse ourselves as much as possible of hatred and enmity. To rejoice at the loss of the wicked – unequivocally; but not to corrupt our soul, and to continue to aspire, deeply, to peace and to good.
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