[Avodah] Binfol oyivkha al tismach?

[Lisa Liel]

On Wed, 4 May 2011 10:27:23 -0400, Micha Berger <micha at aishdas.org> 
wrote (v28i72):

>An interesting perspective from R' Tzvi Freeman, over on Chabad.org
>
>     For the same reason, Solomon tells you not to rejoice over the fall
>     of your enemy. If that's the reason you are celebrating -- because he
>     is your enemy, that you have been vindicated in a personal battle --
>     then how are you better than him? His wickedness was self-serving,
>     as is your joy.

And that's the issue.  In *personal* enmity, binfol oyivcha 
applies.  Most people misquote it as "binfol oyvecha" (as I recall, 
even R' Micha was writing it that way the first time we debated this 
issue), and that's the whole point.  Shlomo made a point of saying it 
in the singular.  Don't rejoice over the fall of your enemy.  Not of 
your *enemies*.  In a personal struggle, there's merit to the premise 
that one shouldn't rejoice in his enemy's downfall.  But we're not 
dealing with a personal enemy.  We're dealing with an enemy who, 
under the banner of Islam, makes war against the world, and Jews in 
particular.  We *absolutely* should rejoice in his downfall.  This 
isn't the guy who got the promotion you wanted.  This isn't even the 
guy who mugged you.  This is the guy who sent his people out to 
murder and murder and murder.

I have to confess, I don't even see how anyone can possibly imagine 
that the Torah doesn't want us to rejoice in the death of such a foul 
national enemy.  There's nothing to support such a view.

Shabbat Shalom,
Lisa