At the end Parshat Emor we read about the blasphemer. OYYY VEYYY!
The Torah teaches us that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. This is because of the law of gravity - otherwise the apple would fly away and not fall down to the ground. His mother was a Jewish woman but his father was an Egyptian and that means foul play. His mother's name was "Shlomit Bat Divree". Rashi explains that she was a big talker. "דברי" meaning "talker". What would she say? She would say "שלום" - hence the name שלומית. She would say hello to EVERYBODY. She would inquire about their well being "?מה שלומך"
Now when I read this Rashi I think "What's wrong with that?" The gemara says that Rav Yochanan would do the same thing and the understands his actions as acts of tzidkut. Boaz [from מגילת רות] made a special decree allowing [and encouraging us] to use Hashem's name [שלום is the name of Hashem] to greet our friends. So why are we critical of שלומית?
Here we get to an important point I heard from the Rebbe Shlita. Some people ask how their friends are doing out of genuine concern and that is indeed admirable. But others are just yentas and they want to stick their noses in other people's business. Shlomit didn't really CARE about other people and her motivations in inquiring about their welfare were less than pure. She was using the holy word of "Shalom" for less than holy purposes. That ultimately led her to having an Egyptian father for her child and his ignominious behavior of blaspheming the holy name of G-d. We see from here the impact of a parent on a child.
May we all genuinely care about each other and not just ask the perfunctory "How're ya doing".
Love and blessings:-).
