The Crack in the Glass Slipper

Day 47: "You Shall Not Ill-Treat Any...Orphan"

I think I have an obsession with Cinderella. I've read the Brothers Grimm's version, I've seen the Disney version a million times, I've enjoyed the version with Brandy in it, I've been in a production of it, I've used the story as inspiration for art projects, my prom outfit was inspired by her, and I've even dressed up as her fairy godmother.

Now, here's where Rambam and Cinderella come together. NOTE: the Rambam's passage will look like this whereas my personal commentary will look like this.

A person must be especially heedful toward widows and orphans because their souls are deeply depressed and their spirits low. Cinderella's step-family failed epically at this. Even if they are wealthy, even if they are the widows and orphans of a king, we are warned concerning them, 'You shall not ill-treat any widow or orphan.' How are we to conduct ourselves toward them?
One must always speak to them tenderly. I should assume here that orders carried out by Cinderella were not said tenderly.
One must show them unwavering courtesy; not hurt them physically with hard toil, or wound their feelings with harsh speech. And here I picture the scene from Disney where Anastasia and Drizella ruin Cinderella's ball gown and prevent her from going...
One must take greater care of their property and money than of one's own. What if an orphan has no property? Or all of their property has been taken? Are we required to give them our own belongings? Whoever irritates them, provokes them to anger, pains them, tyrannizes over them, or causes them loss of money, is guilty of a transgression. What is the punishment for this transgression?

There's not a doubt in my mind that poor Cinderella dealt with more than any human could bear. According to Rambam though, Cinderella should have been given the comforts and luxuries that others are given because her soul and spirit are depressed.

If there was any question in your mind, the story of Cinderella is a perfect example of how not to treat orphans and widows.