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By Rabbi Raymond Beyda | Series: | Level:

Doing what is right is not always popular. Maimonides said that the nature of the human being is to be drawn after the values of his or her peers. So what is one to do when one knows what is right yet feels that others will scoff at the “goody goody” behavior?

Our sages teach that one should consider the long-lasting effects of things and that will put things in proper perspective. The laughter of one’s friends and neighbors lasts only a few painful moments yet the scoffing may prevent performance of a good deed. The good that one does, on the other hand, makes its mark on eternity. Think for a moment before squelching that good urge to do what is right and ask yourself, ” How will this look in 50 years?” You can be sure the ridicule will have stopped and been long forgotten but the good that one does goes on and on.

By putting things in long-term perspective one can grow positively towards self-perfection without being deterred by the negative comments, looks and laughs of one’s contemporaries. Your good will last long after they are gone. Isn’t it worth it to choose the permanent over the temporary? Invest in the spiritual long-term and your stock will only rise as time goes on.

DID YOU KNOW THAT

It is to forbidden repeat the Shema two times consecutively. One is not permitted to repeat the first word i.e. “Shema, Shema” – nor is one permitted to repeat the entire first verse two times in a row.

[ Source: Shulhan Arukh, O’H, siman 61:9]

CONSIDER THIS FOR A MINUTE

One who becomes close to a wicked person learns his wicked ways.

Ben-Sira


Text Copyright &copy 2003 Rabbi Raymond Beyda and Project Genesis, Inc.