A talmid of the renowned Gaon R' Shmuel Wosner, the Shevet HaLevi, lived abroad with his family. As his son approached the age of Bar Mitzvah, he expressed his desire to his rebbe to bring his son to Eretz Yisrael. The purpose of the visit was to have the Rebbe don his son's tefillin for the first time and instill in him יִרְאַת שָׁמַיִם as the boy enters this new stage of his life.
The devoted talmid eagerly awaited his rebbe's response, expecting to hear a warm and welcoming voice on the other end of the phone. This feeling was dashed when his rebbe replied that he should not come. R' Shmuel explained his disapproval by asking his talmid if he was ready to take on the responsibility of his son's שְׁמִירַת עֵינַיִם. He queried whether he was really willing to risk his son's yiras shamayim for this trip?
The Ba'al Shevet HaLevi concluded by telling him that if the journey brought about even one רְאִיָּה אֲסוּרָה, forbidden sight, the whole trip would not be worth it. He emphasized that the potential loss that could result from this one trip was far greater than any benefit that could be gained through it.
The disappointed father tried to convince his rebbe to let him come, saying that he already purchased expensive tickets, and it would be a shame to let this money go to waste. But the rebbe responded that instead he should keep the tickets and frame them so they should serve as a constant reminder for the bar-mitzvah boy that שְׁמִירַת עֵינַיִם is worth forfeiting even large sums of money.
Such is the view of our gedolim regarding the importance of guarding our eyes, and of where our priorities should lie!
Let us ensure to constantly remember the importance of guarding our eyes in every situation. Through safeguarding our physical senses, where our eyes are essentially the channel to obtain all levels of kedusha, may we merit to protect ourselves from negative influences. In this manner we will achieve an elevated spiritual level, enabling a closer connection to Hashem and the extraordinary rewards granted to us in return. By strengthening our eyes and maintaining this level, may we merit to see the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days! Omein.
גוט שבת