A Push off a Cliff

Why do people sin? Nobody willingly wants to go against Hashem. So why do they trip up? The reason is that they momentarily forget about Hashem. Rebbe Nachman writes (Rebbe Nachman’s Discourses, 81) that other people are often obstacles in one’s service of Hashem. Despite a person’s occasional confusing or negative thoughts, he could and would still find his way back to Hashem. Furthermore, even if he’d transgress, he’d still have regret and remorse while clinging to the truth. But when others are around to confuse him that right is wrong and wrong is right, it’s like a push off a cliff…

An image of a person or some other tangible being in front of a person’s eyes can be disorienting. A person might forget about Hashem thinking that the image is a reality separate from Hashem. And, if the image is a person with a strong power of persuasion, and especially a person with status who harbors heretical ideas and opinions as well, one is in grave danger of being negatively influenced.

If a person strikes up a conversation with you, clarify in your mind if he is expressing G-d’s will or not; ask yourself if that person is a positive influence or negative influence. And if you’re not sure what G-d’s will is, ask a competent rabbi and spiritual guide. At any rate, say a quick silent prayer and ask Hashem to guard you from any negative influence.

Eve forget an important principle in serving Hashem: “I Have Set Hashem Before Me Always”; in other words, one must never forget Hashem. As soon as a person’s mind is even momentarily diverted from Hashem, he or she is vulnerable to the influence of the evil inclination.

One must pray profusely in order to be able to remember Hashem at all times. Our Rosh Hashanah liturgy says (Mussaf, Rosh Hashanah), “Happy is the man who never forgets You and the person who exerts himself for You, for those who seek You shall never falter, and those who take refuge in You shall never be destroyed.” In other words, clinging to Hashem in one’s thoughts is a person’s greatest protection. A person cannot do wrong if he thinks, “Hashem is with me; Hashem sees me and hears me. Hashem is operating my lungs and heart.” One who knows that he can’t live a moment without Hashem, much less lift a finger without Hashem, is clinging to Hashem. We are all well-advised to speak to Hashem at every opportunity.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Bender of blessed and saintly memory said that a person’s mouth must be like a flour mill: the grinding wheels must work around the clock, for as long as they do, the mill owner is making money. By the same token, a person’s mouth must speak words of emuna all day long, for as long as he does, he is clinging to Hashem and earning big benefits.

When the snake began to converse with Eve, her focus was diverted from Hashem. She made the mistake of debating with the snake and being dragged into a lengthy discussion. As soon as she momentarily forgot about Hashem and attributed importance to the snake, she fell prey to the latter’s trap. We can conclude that unless Hashem comes to a person’s aid, no one can overcome the snake or resist temptation.

Eve should have said to the snake, “Excuse me, but I prefer not to listen to you. I have G-d’s clear directive which forbids me from eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. There’s nothing further to discuss.” The snake, of course, would insist and not give up. Eve should have then called out to Hashem: “Hashem, what is Your will? Please answer me and help me.” She shouldn’t have trusted her own judgment. If she would have remembered Hashem and turned to Him, she wouldn’t have failed.

A person must have Hashem at the forefront of his mind at all times. Emuna depends on the eyes; a person should therefore have the image of Hashem’s Holy Name in his mind’s eye at all times. A person who fulfills King David’s instruction of, “I Have Set Hashem Before Me Always” (Psalm 16:8) will maintain a level of the fear and awe of G-d that will protect him from sin always.