40 Mistakes – We all Makem
An Offense was Committed!
When we examine the fifth Word of Genesis 40.1, we learn of the error. The fifth Word is חָטְאוּ Chaw Tih Voo meaning mistake. Dear Ones, each of us knows how easy it is to make a mistake. It is easy to be careless. We make mistakes. What follows after one makes a mistake is very important.
Genesis 40 Mistakes – We all Make Them
וַיְהִי אַחַר הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה חָטְאוּ מַשְׁקֵה מֶלֶךְ־מִצְרַיִם וְהָאֹפֶה לַאֲדֹנֵיהֶם לְמֶלֶךְ מִצְרָיִם: ס
And it happened after these Words, Things, Events
that a sin was committed…
that a transgression happened…
that atonement was necessary…
that a transgression occurred…
that whatever word you choose to place here happened.
When one is in an employment setting, one would like to think that they would be given another chance if they made a mistake. If one is in a relationship and one makes a mistake, one would like to think that there would be some room for forgiveness that one would have another chance…
Yet, Dear Ones, it is not always like this. We have all heard of the straw that broke the camel’s back. What does that mean?
We are going to try and share about working through difficulties. We are going to try to examine fairness in relationships. Our story unfolds in Egypt with the Chief Cupbearer and the Chief Baker being charged with a crime against the King.
Egypt was a tough place for government officials.
Joseph was imprisoned on false charges. He served 12 years in prison on false accusations. Some knew the allegations were false. Yet, because a dignitaries wife made accusations, Joseph was imprisoned. Even though Joseph was a righteous man because an affluent individual accused him, he was incarcerated in prison.
Officials looked the other way.
The Chief Cupbearer, the one who was responsible for tasting the King’s wine, failed to perform his duties responsibly. His responsibility for tasting the wine before serving it to the King. If he died from the wine, then the King would not drink it. Well, on a particular day, the King found a fly in the Royal Goblet. It is possible the fly could have fallen into the Royal Goblet. However, a tiny pebble was also found. This indicated to the King that the Cupbearer had failed in his essential responsibility of tasting the wine.
The Chief Baker was also arrested because he was in the general area. It was possible he may be involved. It may also indicate that the baker was neglectful in his responsibilities. He may have even planted the pebble in the wine. It may be that the pebble fell out…
Three days later, on Pharaoh’s birthday, the Chief Baker was hung.
Our discussion is about making mistakes and how we react to our mistakes. When we examine the fifth Word of Genesis 40.1, we learn of the error and the degree. Pharaoh considered the error very serious. The Chief Baker paid with his life. Hopefully, our failures are not nearly as severe. Many factors affect the issues we have with human behavior.
חָטְאוּ
Chaw Tih Voo – mistake
ח8 ט9 א1 ו6 = 24
דַּךְ
Dak – Oppressed
ד4 ך20 = 24
Psalms 74.21
Ooh, let not the oppressed return ashamed; let the poor and needy praise Your Name.
יָדִי
Yaw Dee – hand
י10 ד4 י10 = 24
The writer of Mishlei wrote, Withhold not good from them to whom it is due when it is in the power of your hand to do it. Proverbs 3.27
Genesis 14.22 -23
And Abram said to the King of Sodom, I have lifted my יָדִי Yaw Dee hand to the Lord, The Most High God, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, I have made Abram rich.
Dear Ones, it is easy to make a mistake. It is easy to sin. It is also easy to beat ourselves up when we struggle to overcome mistakes. Sometimes we oppress ourselves for failing to overcome mistakes. We try, and we strive to overcome making the same mistakes. Mystically the Gematria of חָטְאוּ Chaw Tih Voo – meaning ‘to make a mistake’ and דַּךְ Dak – meaning ‘to be oppressed’ are each 24. Other Gematrias are also related to these.
Exodus 15.26
He said, If you will diligently listen to the voice of The Lord your God, and will do that which is right in his sight, and will give ear to His Commandments, and keep all His Statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am The Lord that heals you.
We learn that our mistakes have consequences for us and for those we love. All of humanity is related regardless of the color of our skin. Our DNA leads back to Noah and his wife, Na’amah. Sin impacts us in ways that we cannot imagine!
For years I have suffered from sleep deprivation. I wear a BiPAP with oxygen. Thank God for modern technology. Sleep deprivation can affect one’s judgment. Sleep deprivation can affect how one reacts to situations. Lack of sleep and clarity of thought can affect one’s choice of words. I make mistakes simply because I do not get enough sleep.
If one has medical issues, one may make mistakes. I know of several individuals that fall asleep without warning. Think of what that may cause. G-d Forbid others to have medical emergencies that might cause mistakes… If one is on medication, that can alter one’s ability to perform. If one uses drugs or alcohol, that may have an impact on one. If one has a stressful day at work or if one has an aggravating drive home or if something is annoying…
The point is there are so many factors that may cause any one of us to transgress. I used the word transgress instead of mistake because we need to understand that an error may not be a transgression. Then, who decides what is a mistake or a transgression? We have laws that define these areas. Many of us transgress laws every day without realizing it. Why? Some of us are not aware that things we do may be a violation of The Torah. Our actions in one city, town, county, state, or country may not be a transgression of The Law, but in another location, it may.
I can safely say that each of us will transgress, and each of us will make mistakes. That brings us to several VERY IMPORTANT POINTS. Each of us should try our best to be forgiving and understanding. We should be forgiving and understanding because this is what God Is. We should try to emulate our Creator. We should also be forgiving and understanding because we transgress, and we make mistakes. We should practice tolerance.
When one makes a mistake, if possible, it is best to apologize for the mistake quickly. Don’t let a lot of time pass. We should also remember that even when one makes a mistake, one may not be aware of the mistake. If one is not aware of the mistake, how can one apologize for something they are unaware of? I might consider one thing a mistake, and you might think I am ridiculous or fanatical. If we have transgressed a Torah Commandment, then we must seek to return to Torah Observance with Teshuvah ( teshuvah means to return, to go back to the Observances we know we need to keep, to follow HaShem’s Way).
An individual some of us may know has a list of words that are forbidden. If one of us were to call another individual dumb, stupid, ignorant, or refer to their actions as such, that would immediately bring the wrath of that individual. It would be the basis for a disagreement immediately.
That individual had a high standard when it came to certain words. He / She imposes that standard on whoever he / she has contact. That standard may be a little difficult to live up to daily. Some may take one side or the other. Many of us have pet peeves or know someone who does. We understand that it is best to keep our conversation pure, yet we may slip up from time to time. We may have a home conversation that is different from a work conversation. Maybe we let down when we are hanging out with friends. Do we hold our children to a standard we do not keep? Some do not care how awful their language is.
Some of us have higher standards than others. Are our standards based upon The Torah, or are we unnecessarily stern? Sometimes Rabbis, Pastors, Priests, and Spiritual Leaders impose obligations upon their followers. Their standards are maybe challenging to live up to daily. So let each try to be understanding at the level we place on a mistake. Let’s try to be careful not to overreact when someone around us makes a mistake. Let’s try to be forgiving when someone makes a mistake. Being kind and understanding, and tolerant of others is essential. May Hashem, the Creator of the universe, Blessed is He, Help us to choose an honest course, not too drastic, and one that is fair in our dealings and relationships with others. Please remember it is so important to be forgiving.
So let’s try to be understanding in the level we place on another’s a mistake. Let’s try to be careful not to overreact when someone around us makes a mistake. Let’s try to be forgiving when someone makes a mistake. Being kind, understanding, and tolerant of others is important. May HaShem, the Creator of the universe, bless us with strength, courage, and much success as we work to keep Torah Observant standards. May the Lord, Blessed is His Name, help us to choose an honest course, not too drastic, and one that is fair in our dealings and relationships with others. Please remember it is so important to be forgiving.
Blessings, Health, Prosperity, Kindness, and Peace,
Dr. Akiva Gamliel Belk
