(2004/5765) In Bereshit 6:11, the Torah records the great sin of the Dor
Hamabul. It says, “Vatishacheitt Haaretz Lifnei Haelokim, Vatimalei
Haaretz Chamas,” “The land became corrupt before Hashem, and the
land became filled with robbery.” The Talmud Yerushalmi (Bava Metzia
4:12) quotes a Beraita which asks, “What did they steal?” The Beraita
answers that they stole less than a Shaveh Perutah, the minimum
amount that is given Halachic significance, so no one could take them to
court and prosecute them for robbery. The question that this brings up
is obvious: what was so wrong with what they did, if they were stealing
in such petty amounts? An answer lies in the Gemara in Eiruvin 62,
which says that a Nochri is Chayav even for stealing less then a Shaveh
Perutah, even though a Jew is not. Why is a Nochri Chayav when a
Jew is Patur? Rashi answers that a Jew will forgive someone for
stealing such a small amount, whereas we assume that a Nochri will
not. It is part of a Jew’s character to be forgiving, especially regarding
small matters.
This point is amplified by Taanit 25a, where the Gemara
records the story of a particular drought in Eretz Yisrael. Rabi Eliezer
prayed to Hashem on behalf of the people, but to no avail. Rabi Akiva
then stepped up to pray, but unlike Rabi Eliezer, he was answered.
Naturally, people started saying that Rabi Akiva was greater than Rabi
Eliezer. In response, Hashem sent Bat Kol that announced, “Lo Shezeh
Gadol Mizeh, Elah Shezeh Maavir Al Midotav, Vezeh Eino Maavir Al
Midotav,” “It is not because one is greater than the other, but rather
because this one (Rabi Akiva) was able to ‘look away,’ whereas this one
(Rabi Eliezer) could not ‘look away.’” This Gemara means that Rabi
Akiva was able to forgive minor inconveniences that other people
caused to him, while Rabi Eliezer was not. Clearly, we must learn from
Rabi Akiva. It is not so horrible, for example, if someone accidentally
bumps into you; you do not have to make a big deal over it. Being
forgiving is one thing that distinguishes a Jew from a Nochri. At least
regarding our interactions with other people, the Gemarot in Eiruvin and
Taanit both clearly support the well-known saying, “Don’t sweat the
small stuff!”