Rabbi's Blog

Hiking on the Lake Murray six-mile 10k round trip footpath, an array of different kinds of people can be observed doing assorted things. I typically observe at least five different groups or categories of these individuals on this course, including some sub groups as well. The main categories are as follows: Walkers, Bicyclists, Joggers, Animal strollers (people walking their dogs), and people schmoozing while sitting on the occasional benches placed along the path. I believe there is a sociological pattern that can be observed among any one of the five categories mentioned above. Most importantly, a marked degree of comradery exists within each group. Despite the fact we are all strangers to one another, there exists an automatic kinship with others who fall into any of these specific groups.

As mentioned above, the Lake Murray path is not a complete loop but rather a two-way three-mile one way, three-mile return track. Whichever direction you are going, you always see people on the other side of the path walking, jogging, biking in the other direction. I’ve noticed that people who are doing the same type of exercise, be it walking, or riding, acknowledge the person going in the other direction if they are doing the same thing. Take me for example, I give a nod and receive a nod in return from those who are jogging, but not necessarily from those on bicycles. Those who are walking their dogs seem to stop and greet total strangers inquiring about each other’s pets. The bicyclists have their own acknowledgement by raising their hand a bit off the handlebar.

This sort of behavior is not exclusive to exercise; it is found in any place of routine. When I attended high school, I used public transportation. I traveled on the New York City subway system for three years and became accustomed to seeing the same people day after day at the same time, going to the same station and even sitting or standing in the same location in the car itself. It did not take long for me, or, as I observed, others who recognized the friendly face of the stranger whom they saw every day. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, and this rule is no different. There are people on the exercise path or who are going to work who just mind their own business and don’t want anything to do with anyone else. They practically hold a sign up that reads, “Do not disturb,” or “Leave me alone”. A final example may take place among the work force at a business or office where common areas are designated for employees to congregate: the coffee cart, the employee lunch room, and the like. We may not be in the same department or have any direct business dealings with the individual, but we do exchange small greetings and chit chat a bit.

On the one hand it is a nice thing to show the friendship and rapport with our colleagues with whom we work or commute. On the other hand, however, as Jews we need to be careful to create guidelines and set limits to our interactions and engagements. No one is above the realm of perfection. We don’t rely on our mitzvos and religious dedication to insure and guarantee that we won’t sin. The influence from the outside world does not only exist, it is very tempting, pervasive and powerful. We need to take precautions to shield ourselves from the influences of the outside world, maintaining awareness of the non-Jewish element which surrounds us and the state of exile we are currently in. Some people may think that I am exaggerating or overreacting to the fears of the influences that threaten our Jewishness and our commitment to a Torah life style. Obviously, I don’t think I’m overdramatizing the situation. We only need to look in the Torah to see how such influences can influence.

In this week’s parsha Vaera the Torah states in Shmos 9:29 “Vayomer Eilav Moshe, K’Tzeisee Es HaIr, Efros Es Kapai El Hashem….”. “Moshe said to him (Pharoah), when I go out of the city I will spread my hands in prayer to God….”. Moshe Rabbeinu tells Pharoah that he can not pray in Egypt, rather he must leave the area. Rashi elaborates, stating: “He had to leave because in the city Moshe could not daven because it was full of idols and idolatry”. What was the fear that Moshe had? Was Moshe afraid that he might end up praying to the idols? Certainly not, rather he was afraid of the influence the idols would have upon him which would have an adverse effect on his Tefilla/prayer. From this episode we clearly see the greatness of Moshe. If Moshe was afraid of the bad influence of Mitzrayim, the idols and the atmosphere around him, then how much more so we need to be concerned about the forces around us in this exile.

The challenge of the outside influences over Judaism is not a new phenomenon; it has existed in all generations. Dovid HaMelech in Tehilim 106:35 says, “When you mix among the nations you learn from their ways”. Rambam in Hilchos Deos 6:1 states: “It is human nature to be influenced by one’s friends, adopting the moral standards of the people around us. Therefore, associate with righteous people and constantly be in the company of Torah scholars in order to learn from their behavior. Stay away from the wicked who walk in darkness so that you will not learn from their deeds”. A person should not fool himself and say, “What do I care about my surroundings and the outside evils? I am not connected to any part of them.” The nature of a person is drawn from what is around him.

The problem is we do live in a foreign, non-Jewish country with a heavy-duty influence surrounding us. What can we do to survive? Should we leave the city every time we need to daven, emulating Moshe? We do greet our co-workers and nod to our neighbors and share some common activities? What can we do to guarantee maintaining our uniqueness and preserve our Yiddishkeit? The Navi Malachi 3:6 says, “God does not change. Outside forces have no influence upon Him; they can’t even touch Him. Hashem is represented by the Torah in this world. It is the Torah that guards God and we must use the Torah as our shelter and protection from the elements attempting to infiltrate our spiritual lives of holiness and purity.

The one and only protection when we go out into the world is the Torah itself. The Torah is the antidote to all the evil forces distracting us away from Hashem. As long as we learn and keep the Torah then the human connections will not influence or steer us away from Hashem. To the contrary, the Torah will bring us closer to Him.

Ah Gut Shabbos
Rabbi Avraham Bogopulsky