189. Wronging Widows and Orphans

29:19 One must be especially careful with orphans and widows, making sure to address them gently, treating them with dignity and not to causing them pain, even verbally. This applies even if they are wealthy, since there is still pain in their lives. God has a special relationship with widows and orphans; if they cry out to Him because someone has wronged them, He personally takes care of things for them. Nevertheless, their misdeeds may be corrected. For example, a teacher may reprimand a student who is an orphan, though he should do so very gently. This is true whether a child has lost only a father or only a mother. He is considered an orphan until he is old enough to take care of his own affairs. 29:20 We must be very careful not to do anything that will cause others to suspect us of having committed a sin, even if we are innocent of it. The Talmud in Shekalim (3b) tells us that a kohein who handled funds would not enter the Temple treasury wearing any garment in which money could be smuggled out so that he should remain above suspicion. The Torah tells us to “remain guiltless before God and Israel” (Numbers 32:22) and Proverbs tells us (3:4) to “find grace and favor in the eyes of God and men.”