By Rabbi Shlomo Zargari
Shalom,
כי עם קדוש אתה לה׳ אלוקיך”
“For you are a holy nation unto Hashem “(14-21).
Sifrei gives an interesting interpretation of these words: “Make yourself holy with regard to things that you permit. Even if you are of the opinion that a specific thing is permitted, when you find yourself in the company of those who forbid it, you should not permit it
in their presence.”
If we had to describe what is wrong with permitting something in the presence of those who forbid it, we would probably explain that such behavior is improper because one is disregarding the feelings of those who act stringently. Moreover, his actions might even cause
them to abandon their stringency. However, it is clear from Sifrei which states, “Make yourself holy” — that the focus of this teaching is not on the others who act stringently; rather, it is on the person himselt.
Sifrei is revealing to us that kedushah involves applying to oneself that which one perceives around him. When one finds himself in the company of those who are more scrupulous, this should arouse in him a desire to emulate them, at least for the duration of the time he spends in their presence.
In a similar vein, Chazal tell us,”One who sees a sotah in her state of degradation should abstain from wine” (Sotah 2b). The Torah is telling us that instead of denouncing the perpetrator and the terrible transgression committed, one should direct his focus inward and concentrate on ensuring that he himself never commits such a sin.
This is the criticism that Haza”l (Bamidbar Rabbah 16:5) level against the meraglim, the spies. Although they had seen what happened to Miriam when she spoke derogatorily about Moshe Rabbenu, they failed to apply the lesson to themselves. The Baal Shem Tov would say that everything we see is to be taken as a message from Hashem as to how we ourselves appear. If we see something, it means that we are meant to glean a lesson from it. Instead of getting annoyed at the fellow who double-parked his car, we should think of the many instances when we are guilty of similar behavior (even if not to the same degree of insolence). This not only helps to improve one’s character, it also yields numerous benefits in one’s relationships.
Harav Wolbe זצוק״ל
(Ale Shur, Vol. I, p. 137)
Shabbat Shalom