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What Really Defines Sinat Chinam? An Over-700-Year-Old Answer
28/7/2025
Published in 1291 by Rabbeinu Bachya ben Asher, Kad HaKemach (A Jar of Flour) features a chapter (the written version of one of his orations) entitled Sinat Chinam/Baseless Hatred.
Within, Rabbeinu Bachya defines sinat chinam as deriving from envy and kavod, which manifests as rejoicing in others' misery, resenting their successes, and chanifah.
(Often translated as "flattery," chanifah means giving others the impression of forbidden behavior as okay or even praiseworthy.)
And this definition of sinat chinam destroyed the Beit HaMikdash (contrary to what you sometimes hear).
Breaking Down Sinat Chinam into 3 Parts
According to Rabbeinu Bachya, the root of sinat chinam lies in the desire to feel superior – a craving to lead others.
This results in the following quintessential sinat chinam behaviors:
- Faking sincere friendship with the conscious intent of causing others to relax their guard in order to take advantage of them.
- Feeling depressed about the success of others.
- Taking joy in the failures of others.
NOW THE FOLLOWING IS FROM RABBI AVIGDOR MILLER ZT”l
1 comment:
Rabbi Avigdor Miller is exactly right. I have been saying this for the
longest time. I remember when I learned that Yaakov's children, all the
twelve tribes were all called 'tzadikim'. It was only when we left Mitzrayim and the Erev Rav followed us in the millions and then joined our people that all our tzrot started. They are the Erev Rav within our midst!!! They are the cause of most of the troubles we have had to endure since Sinai. Today, we feel it even moreso because they run medinat yisrael.
(yiddel)
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