m022 018 Teves 6 ~ Teves 10
Questions for today:
What if I don’t only measure myself by my impact? What if I respect myself as a Divine vehicle, and I measure the depth of G-dliness – or the opposite - that I get embroiled in?
When we discuss good and bad, it’s easy to fall in to the trap that “if I don’t hurt anyone, it’s all good”.
When we believe in creation, part of the belief is that every individual person has a responsibility and purpose. it’s as though we each have a key, if I don’t do my part to turn the key, I am to blame for everyone that is waiting outside in the cold.
With that in mind, today’s Tanya discusses two types of sexually inappropriate behavior; one personal, and one involving others.
Counterintuitively, with regards to the ‘level of impurity’, the personal one is worse. This is because there is no limit to the amount or to the type of depravity that a person can reach, alone. Alone, they have no one else to ask permission, don’t have to work on someone else’s schedule, and there is no shame of another person.
Obviously, on the flip side there is an entirely different measurement of bad when it involves another person. When someone else is involved, then even everything that we learned about hitting rock bottom and our negative actions becoming positive because of our change, doesn’t apply – it’s too late, once you impacted someone else, it’s entirely out of your control.
Study today’s tanya in full:
https://www.chabadmed.com/dailystudy/tanya.asp?tdate=12/14/2021
See today’s video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3d_pHIFvVY&list=PLFZQPK6u-zSBls9Hwx3P5vKI_BRnjBvHe&index=18
Additional thoughts:
Over here, in describing different types of behavior, the Tanya describes inappropriate personal activity in very harsh terms. It’s important to note that this is not the focus of Chabad with regard to life guidance in this issue.
The general life approach is along the lines of how our mind can only do one thing at once. If we strive and make an effort to grow in the good, it will automatically prevent us from anything we should not be involved in.
On a rare occasion where the Rebbe discussed this issue, the Rebbe focused on the positive. The Rebbe pointed out the incredible light that illuminated the entire city of Jerusalem from the wicks made from the modesty garments of the priests that were worn with purity.