EXOD981 [This] concept of taking an action specifically to assure that one does not appear guilty in the eyes of others is such an important one it saved the Jewish people twice in the desert. Exodus 32:11-14, Numbers 14:11-20 If not for this idea, the entire Jewish people, as we know it would simply not exist today. ... Thus, how something appears is as important as doing the right thing. Even God changed His plans and the Jewish people were saved because of how the situation would appear to the nations of the world, even though, had He acted as He had wanted to, of course God would have been right and the nations mistaken. Rabbi Moses Sofer (1762 – 1839), one of the most outstanding and pious Rabbis in Europe, writes that one of the most difficult precepts he encountered in trying to fulfill all of Judaism's Commandments is this one. It was far easier for him to remain "clean" and righteous in the eyes of God then to "remain clean in the eyes of his fellow man." Responsa Chatam Sofer 6:59 People are always filled with all kinds of suspicions and thoughts, even about Rabbis, so a Jew must work very diligently not only to be guiltless but also to appear guiltless in the eyes of others.