We’re Born Healthy
The Sefer HaChinuch—which explains the reasons behind every mitzvah with great sweetness—gives background to the mitzvah of ולא תתורו אחרי לבבכם ואחרי עיניכם in the following way: He cites the well-known pasuk in Koheles, האלוקים עשה את האדם ישר והמה בקשו חשבונות רבים, Hashem has created man to be straight but they instead sought many calculations. The Chinuch adds the words... for no benefit at all.
That is, our natures have been designed so that we will be righteous and good, healthy and straight. If we see that the nefesh is in turmoil, it means that the machine has broken down. And the reason for this is that it was used in ways other than for its intended purpose.
A Strong Machine That Gives Us Issues
This can be likened to a person who acquired a washing machine with a warranty for five years. But after three weeks, he calls the store to complain that there’s water running out all the wrong places, and it’s working terribly overall.
“Which machine did you buy?” he is asked.
“What do you mean, ‘which machine’? You don’t remember that I selected your most expensive machine when I was in your store? I specifically wanted a machine that I won’t have to repair every other day.... Cheap is expensive, they say. But look at this machine after only three weeks!”
Generally, the seller will ask several questions about whether the machine had been abused or misused. Did it fall? Was it overloaded? Did an object slip into the wrong place? This man has been selling this machine for fifteen years, and he has never had such a complaint. The situation is very suspect....
What Have You Done?
The Ribbono shel Olam asks us the same. I have created your nefesh in a complete way—straight and good. Everything is meant to work properly. Of course, there will always be a yetzer hara... but it does mean that if a person works to overcome his yetzer hara, everything will run smoothly. There won’t be complaints and anger.
Similarly, when it comes to tzedakah, we are assured that we can even test Hashem in this matter. If we give generously, we will have shefa. But we complain that we have given ma’aser and it’s not working... the shefa is broken. “It was so difficult for me to give the ma’aser... and I am not seeing the results!”
And the Ribbono shel Olam—our Merciful Father—doesn’t become angry at us, for he loves us with incredible love. But he asks, “Tell Me what you did with it? Did you utilize and channel My shefa in the right way? Can it be that you misused it?
“I have given you eyes so you will use them properly, for good things. Look at tzaddikim, look the letters of your sefarim. Look around at other Yidden, so you will recognize when they need your help. Do not use it for things that can wreak havoc on your soul.”
Enjoy Your Eyes
The Chofetz Chaim tells us regarding purity of speech that a person who runs his mouth all day without thinking will think that the issur of lashon hara means sitting in silence; he imagines that all speech is forbidden. He says, “I want to enjoy life... I want to schmooze and spend time with others. Now you’re telling me that I need to suffer my whole life!” This idea is false, says the Chofetz Chaim. We must simply learn, with clarity, which speech is permitted, and which speech is forbidden. When we’re aware of the parameters, we can speak freely and enjoyably.
The same applies to shemiras einayim. One may think that he will need to keep his eyes closed 24 hours a day—only to open them when they’re raising up the Torah in shul.... The truth isn’t so. We don’t need to keep our eyes shut, we must only ensure that our surroundings are clean. Even if we use technology, the Ribbono shel Olam has created filters that can screen out everything we don’t need to see. We must simply make the necessary guardrails, and we can live serenely without difficulties. Even when we must go places that pose a danger, we can always take along a sefer... and everything will be sweet.
