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Parashat Kedoshim, one of the two Parshi’ot read this Shabbat, lists, among many, the Commandment of “Lo Tekallel Cheiresh,” “You shall not curse a deaf person” (VaYikra 19:14). Through understanding why the Pasuk specifies a deaf person, we can extrapolate an important message for how to treat others, and see how this lesson appears at other times throughout the Parashah and the Torah.
The Ramban, explaining why it specifies the deaf person, notes that the Pasuk in Shemot (22:27) writes: “Elohim Lo Tekallel VeNasi BeAmcha Lo Ta’or”. This warns against cursing a judge and the Nasi. Ramban explains that this Pasuk prohibits one from cursing the honorable, important people. You cannot curse the judge or the Nasi. So the Pasuk in Kedoshim comes to warn against cursing a deaf person, too. He is, in some sense, the least prominent person. Therefore, we learn that it is Assur to curse anyone, from top to bottom.
Ramban gives another understanding of why the Pasuk mentions the deaf. Even though the deaf person will not hear when you curse him, and hence, he will not become angry, it is still Assur to curse him. And Kal VaChomer, it is Assur to curse someone else, who will hear and will become angry. That’s why Ramban explains that the Pasuk ends with “VeYareita MeiElokecha.” Even though you might curse the deaf, unafraid of the consequences, you should know that Hashem will see it, so be afraid of Him.
These two explanations of Ramban shed light on what the Torah is trying to convey. The deaf person is vulnerable, so you must be extra careful not to curse him. He is the one specified over a regular individual. By mentioning the judge and Nasi at the top, and the Cheiresh at the bottom, we learn not to curse anyone. Or, by mentioning the Cheiresh, who will not be affected by the curse, we learn not to curse other people, who will. The Torah’s sensitivity requires us to act towards others on their level . If one is sensitive, we have to treat him with extra care.
Later in Kedoshim, the Torah warns against Ona’at HaGer. Rashi explains that this is verbal abuse. The Pasuk (19:34) continues, commanding “VeAhavta Lo Kamocha” regarding the Ger. Even though the Torah already commanded in our Parashah (19:18), “VeAhavta LeRei’acha Kamocha,” it says it specifically by a Ger, a foreigner. Because he is at risk of being targeted, we must be extra careful to treat him properly. Additionally, in Shemot (22:21), the Torah warns: “Kol Almanah VeYatom Lo Te’anu,” “You shall not afflict any widow or orphan.” Even though, as Rashi points out, this is true for everyone, the Pasuk specifies the widow and orphan. These are the vulnerable people in society, so we must treat them with extra care. The Torah warns of a harsh punishment if one afflicts the widow or orphan, as Hashem says He will hear their cry, and your wives and children will become widows and orphans. This punishment reflects the severity of taking advantage of the weak.
By emphasizing respecting and treating the deaf, foreigner, widow, and orphan properly, the Torah clarifies that we must be extremely careful to treat the vulnerable properly. Anyone can respect a king, a Nasi, or a judge, but true respect is when we do so to a widow, a foreigner, and the defenseless in society.