„Everything that enters one soul from the influence of another — even…”
„Everything that enters one soul from the influence of another — even though the matter benefits it in some respect, since in the end it grants it some knowledge, or some good and sometimes useful feeling — nevertheless harms it as well, in that it mixes a foreign element into its essence.”From Shemonah Kevatzim 2:174
When we are influenced by the society around us in some matters — in study, in opinions, in thoughts, and the like — even though we receive from this the knowledge itself and the wisdom, still such a situation is not optimal.
Further in the passage the Rav brings the verse: "And they shall no longer teach every man his fellow and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest" (Jeremiah 31:33). Despite the importance of a man learning from his fellow, the difference between us is an immense advantage, and we must guard it. We do not need to know the Lord because our fellow knows Him; we do not need to perform our fellow's service, but rather to create our own service before the Holy One, blessed be He, and through our service to pour the word of God into the world (the word of God given to us).
This passage requires of us much integrity, much inner listening and humility, and much searching.
A good week to all!
For the recovery of Yitzchak ben Yocheved.
From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.