By Rami ben Ze'ev
The discussion in Chullin 44 revolves around an animal that appears healthy from the outside but is discovered upon examination to possess a fatal internal defect. The lesson is obvious on the surface: appearances can deceive. Yet beneath the legal discussion lies a profound teaching about how we view ourselves and others.
Human beings are often experts at judging what they can see and remarkably poor at understanding what they cannot.
A person may appear strong, successful, confident, and righteous, while carrying wounds known only to G-D. Another may appear weak, troubled, or spiritually distant, while within them burns a fire of faith that has never been extinguished.
This is why Torah repeatedly warns against superficial judgment. When שמואל (Shmuel) was sent to anoint a king, he naturally looked upon the outward appearance of Eliav and assumed he was the chosen one. Yet G-D replied:
"For man sees what is visible to the eyes, but the L-RD sees the heart."
The mistake of humanity is not merely that we judge others too harshly. Often we judge them too favourably as well.
Many people believe that the prohibition against judging concerns only criticism. In reality, misplaced admiration can be just as dangerous as misplaced condemnation.
A person sees another who speaks eloquently, dresses piously, possesses wealth, influence, charisma, or a large following, and immediately assumes spiritual greatness. Yet Torah teaches that external appearance and internal reality are not always the same thing.
The Holy Zohar repeatedly distinguishes between the external garment and the inner essence. Just as the body conceals the soul, so too words, appearances, titles, and reputations can conceal a person's true spiritual condition. The Holy Zohar teaches that the world itself is clothed in layers, and one who sees only the outer garment mistakes the covering for the reality beneath it.
This applies equally to ourselves.
Many people spend their lives creating an image. They carefully manage how they are perceived. They want to appear knowledgeable, successful, humble, generous, or pious. Yet the question Torah asks is not how others see us but how G-D sees us.
The Tanya explains that every person contains an ongoing struggle between the נפש האלקית (Nefesh HaElokit – Divine Soul) and the נפש הבהמית (Nefesh HaBehamit – Animal Soul).
Because of this struggle, a person can become confused about their own spiritual state. They begin to believe the image they project rather than honestly examining their inner condition.
The Alter Rebbe repeatedly directs a person toward חשבון הנפש (Cheshbon HaNefesh – spiritual self-accounting). Instead of asking, "What do others think of me?" the proper question is, "What am I when nobody is watching?"
Before praising ourselves, we must ask whether our private actions match our public image.
Before condemning another person, we must ask what unseen burdens they may be carrying.
Before praising another person, we must ask whether we truly know them at all.
This final point is particularly important in our generation. Many people are eager to find leaders, teachers, influencers, and guides. They search for someone to follow. Yet Torah teaches caution.
Korach gathered followers.
The spies influenced an entire generation.
Jeroboam attracted a nation.
Each possessed charisma. Each possessed followers. None possessed truth.
A large following has never been proof of righteousness.
The Holy Zohar teaches that in the generations preceding redemption, false appearances will become increasingly powerful. The external will often overshadow the internal. Voices that are loud will appear wise. Confidence will be mistaken for knowledge. Popularity will be mistaken for truth.
Therefore, the Jew must learn to look deeper.
Not every critic is wrong.
Not every admirer is correct.
Not every teacher is worthy of being followed.
Not every apparent failure is truly failing.
Not every apparent success is truly succeeding.
The lesson of Chullin 44 is that hidden realities matter more than visible appearances. The animal appeared healthy until a deeper examination revealed otherwise. So too with human beings.
The person whom society praises may possess hidden flaws.
The person whom society dismisses may possess hidden greatness.
The leader everyone follows may be spiritually empty.
The quiet person sitting unnoticed in the corner may be beloved before Heaven.
True wisdom therefore begins with humility. We should be slow to condemn, slow to praise, slow to follow, and quick to examine ourselves.
For only G-D sees the whole person.
Only G-D knows the hidden wound.
Only G-D knows the hidden fire.
And the closer a person comes to recognising this truth, the closer they come to genuine spiritual growth.