GEN1504 Let us remind ourselves of the episode of Joseph and the wife of Potiphar – that critical moment in the drama of Joseph which bestowed upon him, for eternity, the title of Tzaddik (the righteous one). What was it which turned Joseph into Yoseph HaTzaddik? In his attempt to prevail upon Potiphar’s wife, he sought to impress upon her the fact that he had been entrusted with great responsibility by Potiphar, her husband. To acquiesce to her wishes would therefore be a breach of faith and trust. His appeal, then was one of ethical conduct and behavior. But he added, “How then, can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” [this verse]. Ethical conduct is void of content if it does not stem from the fear of God.   It is this fear of God which is the motivating force of moral and ethical conduct in human affairs.  When this motivation is removed, society becomes permeated with the lusts, the temptations, and the forms of vice prevalent today.   To flee from reality in the hallucinations of LSD becomes part of the cultural milieu of modern society. [Published in 1975 – AJL] The element of “chotosi leilokim” (I have sinned towards God) converts the lust and urge to sin into an insatiable thirst for holiness.   BUILD 5-6