By Rabbi H. Chitrick
A chasid enquired of the Baal Shem Tov, "How can a person control himself from watching improper behavior?" The Baal Shem Tov instructed him to go to Odessa and seek an answer from one of his followers there. Following the Rebbe's advice, the chasid traveled to Odessa and took up lodging with the man, a simple, hardworking fellow who spent most of his day working as a porter at the docks.
The chasid was left alone for most of the day and spent his time pondering the Baal Shem Tov's intention. His host was a pleasant and G-d-fearing man, but he seemed totally incapable of teaching him the lesson that he had requested of the Baal Shem Tov. Nevertheless, the chasid stayed on.
Once, when he was alone in the house, he noticed a small window high up near the ceiling. Curious, the chasid climbed atop a chair which he placed on the table and peeked through the window, only to recoil in disgust at the sight of a neighbor's indecent behavior.
That evening, he confronted his host: "How can you live amongst such indecent neighbors?" he demanded, relating the unbecoming sight he had seen through the window.
"I am quite surprised at you," was the porter's straightforward reply. "I have lived in this house for twenty years and it never crossed my mind once to peek in on the neighbors. You've been here for only four days and yet you could not restrain your curiosity."
From "My Father's Shabbos Table"
