It’s About You!

R’ Chaim of Brisk, zt”l, once met a former student of his, that had become irreligious. 

R’ Chaim asked him: “What caused you to abandon the path of the Torah?”

The former student replied: “In the yeshiva, we were constantly taught that the purpose of life is solely to serve our Creator. Nothing else matters. However, when I left the Yeshiva and went into the big world, I saw that there were plenty of people who didn’t believe in anything at all. In fact, most of the world was like that. And I thought to myself, ‘How could it be that the entire world has it wrong and we are the only ones who got it right?'” 

“Is the majority of the people that you met wise?” asked the Rav. 

“No.” 

“Were they rich?” 

“No.” 

“Was the majority of the world always healthy without any illnesses?” 

“No.” 

“Then why are you so impressed by a poor, unhealthy, foolish world?” asked the Rav.

The Brisker Rav taught this student a critical lesson. A Jew cannot allow himself to be influenced by what he sees most of the world doing. Simply because most of the world behaves in a certain way, or has a certain perspective and belief, does not mean it is correct or good. In fact, many precious and good things are specifically found in the minority. 
 

You must not think that being a minority is a flaw. On the contrary! This must be a source of pride. As the pasuk praises the Jews saying, “for you are the least of all the peoples.” (Devarim 7:7) 

Like an Animal 

There are many stories about the great rabbinic figure, R’ Yehonason Eybeschutz, zt”l, the Rav of Prague, who was known for his wit and wisdom and his ability to counter arguments against Judaism. He had a few answers for the question about much of the world, as follows: 

A priest once asked R’ Yehonason, “Your Torah says (Shemot 23:2), ‘Follow the majority… ‘ Why then do not follow our [Christian] example?”

“Come with me outside,” replied the Rav. He took the priest to a field where some animals were pasturing, and he began to walk around on all fours like the animals.

“What are you doing!” exclaimed the priest.

“Animals are the majority of the world, and based on your opinion, we need to behave like the majority”, the Rav responded

Then he continued, “When the Torah tells us to ‘follow the majority’, it refers to the majority of those who are doing the right thing and following the Path of the Just, and not those who violate the Torah’s commandments. As the Torah (ibid) taught, ‘You shall not follow the majority for evil…‘” 

Where Is the Emperor? 

There is another relevant story with R’ Yehonason:  

When he was a young boy, he was summoned to the emperor’s palace. He was known to be a child prodigy and the emperor wanted to test his genius. And he asked him, “Why don’t you follow the religion and faith of most of the population [Christianity]?” Don’t you believe that you have been commanded to follow the majority?” 
 

The boy turned his face to the ministers that were present, and he asked them, “Where is the emperor?” 
 

The emperor snickered and said to the ministers, “This boy is supposed to be a genius?! Yet he looks for me when I am standing right in front of him!” 
 

“Listen to what you are saying,” the boy interjected. “When you can see the emperor, you do not need to look for him. Even if most of these ministers would tell me that the emperor is not here, I would not listen to them, because I don’t doubt that the emperor is here, and the views of the majority can only impact someone that has doubts. So too, the King of Kings revealed Himself to us and gave us the Torah, and we continue to see him throughout the creation. We do not question or doubt His presence.”

One Man’s Opinion 

There is also a third interesting story from R’ Yehonason: 

Once, a priest asked the Rav why the Jews did not follow the Christians who are the majority. The Rav answered: “The entire Jewish people was present when Hashem gave us the Torah. However, the Christians believe in one man who presented a “new” Torah. One man can make a mistake or convince the masses. Even if the multitudes follow him, it is still based on one man’s opinion.” 

The priest responded, “Can one man convince the masses of a lie?” 

“It is not impossible.” 

The priest doubted the Rav and asked him to support his viewpoint. 

“Let’s go to the market and mimic everything that I do.” 

When they got there, the Rav looked to the skies and said many times, “It is so wonderful to see all of these angels flying here.” 

The priest did likewise. A crowd began to form, and they all began to tell one another that they saw the angels too. No one wanted to be left out. So, they each began describing the angels that they were seeing.

The priest realized that the Rav was right: you can convince a crowd of anything, even if it is outlandish and false. 

Bribed Judges 

The Yeittav Lev of Siget, zt”l, was once sitting to discuss an important matter. The local Rosh Hakahal (community leader) right away said his opinion. Immediately, another person said, “I agree with the Rosh Hakahal!” And more and more people joined in and shouted, “I agree, too.” 
 

The Rav said: “We follow the majority when there are many individual opinions. However, once you said immediately that you agree to the Rosh Hakahal, it was an acknowledgment that you don’t think for yourselves, and you are simply being flattering. Therefore, the prophet taught (Iyov 15:34), Because the company of a hypocrite is lonely… It only is considered an individual’s opinion.” 
 

Most irreligious influencers are like Judges who took bribes. They follow their desires, and therefore, they are bribed to convince themselves to deny a Higher Power so that they can indulge in their own superficial and immoral desires without limit or guilt. 
 

During these times, everyone must remember these ideas. You cannot follow the masses. You cannot allow yourself to follow the misguided beliefs and values of the majority of the people. Rather, you need to truly understand the goodness and beauty of a life shaped by the Torah. And, you need to proudly walk in the path of Torah which is the only lifestyle that leads to a good, true and eternal life. 

It’s About YOU! 

We see this lesson clearly from the story of the Jews leaving Egypt. Once the plagues began, slavery stopped. And, with this newfound freedom, most of the Jews decided that they wanted to stay in Egypt. They were attracted to the hedonistic lifestyle and culture. They did not want to leave and accept the Torah. Therefore, they perished in the plague of darkness. 
 

Only 1/50th of the Jews left Egypt. Our ancestors realized what was best for them, even though there were 49 other Jews per person who disagreed with them. They did not allow themselves to be consumed by the foolishness of the masses. 
 

Therefore, Chazal taught in the Haggadah that “in every generation a person is obligated to see themselves…” The obligation is to focus on themselves and to understand what is best for them. They cannot focus on what most people think. As the Haggadah continues, “as if he went out of Egypt.” We need to be like our ancestors who did not allow the views of the many to impact or influence them. 
 

In this zechut (merit), may each of you be worthy to all kinds of good blessings, and “as in the days we left the Land of Egypt may we see wonders”, Amen! 

*** 

The Kalever Rebbe is the seventh Rebbe of the Kaalov Chasidic dynasty, begun by his ancestor who was born to his previously childless parents after receiving a blessing from the Baal Shem Tov zy”a, and later learned under the Maggid of Mezeritch zt”l. The Rebbe has been involved in outreach for more than 30 years and writes weekly emails on understanding current issues through the Torah. Sign up at www.kaalov.org.