When Noach was shamefully uncovered, Shem and Yefes took a robe and covered him. Rashi explains that the Passuk says: וַיֹּקַח “he” took (singular) instead of: וַיִּקְחוּ “they” took (plural), because Shem took the initiative to protect his father’s honor, and because of this, he was Zoche to Tzitzis. I once heard that it was a Chisaron in Hevel since he didn’t take the initiative in bringing a Korban, as it says: וְהֶבֶל הֵבִיא גַם הוּא (Bereishis 4:4) Hevel “also” brought a Korban. A person needs to have his own mind! (Especially by being M’chadesh Chidushei Torah).
It is interesting that when Hashem reprimanded Adam, He said: כִּי שָׁמַעְתָּ לְקוֹל אִשְׁתֶּךָ (Bereishis 3:17) because you listened to your wife, as if the main part of his Aveira was his LISTENING to his wife instead of making his OWN decision. This is a lack of self-respect for the: צִיּוּר כַּפָּיו שֶׁל הַבּוֹרֵא handiwork of Hashem. Being a “nuchschlepper” (one who gets dragged along) can be a grave sin, and a: חֳפִיפוּת disgrace of a Tzelem Elokim! Before the Alter from Novardok Zatzal made his own Shita, he did a strange פְּעוּלָה move, which burned his bridges with the public, and he disappeared to a private place. (T'nuas HaMussar).
Very few people have their own minds. Most people are the products of their environments, whether for good or for bad. (Rambam). They don’t realize how 24/7 their brain is constantly occupied with: מַה יֹּאמְרוּ הַבְּרִיוֹת What will people say?? This is why seeking Kavod and avoiding Bizayon dominates almost every move they make.
A Melech is smeared with oil, which is a substance that floats higher than all other liquids. It is independent, and it doesn’t mix. The Medrash says that...
