To do Hashem’s Will we must first seek to know His Will which consists of two parts: the halachah which is equally binding to all Jews and the particular mission for which Hashem created each of us individually. Too often however our quest for understanding either aspect of Hashem’s Will — particularly the latter — is stifled because we are too involved in another question: “What will the neighbors say?”
To say of someone “He really wants to know what the Ribono Olam wants from him not what the neighbors will say” is very high praise indeed.
That is not to argue that communal standards are unimportant. They can often serve as an important lo lishmah that brings us to the lishmah. Most chillul Hashem could be avoided if we spent more time visualizing the consequences of our behavior becoming generally known.
The commentators explain that all of Klal Yisrael was punished with defeat at Ai for Achan’s act of violating the cherem on Jericho. Had Achan been certain that he would be subjected to opprobrium if his taking plunder were discovered he would never have violated the cherem.
Create a free account to keep reading.
