NUM273 We are obligated to pursue peace. The Midrash says that there are many commandments that the Torah requires us to fulfill when the opportunity presents itself, but does not require us to actively pursue: "If a bird's nest that's interesting chance to be before you…] (Dvorim 22:6); "If you meet the ox of your enemy…" (Shmos 23:4); "If you see the donkey of him that hates you... (ibid. 23;5); "When you beat your olive tree..." (Dvorim 24:20); "When you gather the grapes of your vineyard…" (ibid. 24:21). In each of these instances you are obligated to fulfill the commandment if you find yourself in a particular situation. You are not required, however, to pursue these situations in order to fulfill the relevant commandment. But we are obligated to pursue peace as it is written, "Seek peace and pursue it" (T'hilim 34). Therefore, Israel sent messengers to Sichon to seek peace. (Bamidbar Rabbah 19:16). Hillel said, "Be a disciple of Aharon: Love peace and pursue peace, love people and draw them near to the Torah." (Pirkei Avos 1:12). ... "The Talmud (Yoma 53b) states that after we conclude our silent prayer we should take three steps backwards and then recite the blessing of 'peace.' In other words, for the sake of peace, one must take some paces backwards." Judaism, Thought and Legend, p. 99).

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

NUM274 In summation: a person must survey all of his deeds and oversee all his ways, in order to remove any bad tendency or trait, let alone a sin or a transgression. It is also necessary that a man be meticulous in his ways and weigh them daily, like the leading merchants do when they assess all their undertakings to prevent their businesses from falling into ruin. One should schedule fixed times and hours for this (rather than doing so randomly) and adhere to them faithfully, because there is so much at stake. Our Sages of blessed memory have explicitly taught us the need for this type of evaluation. And this is what they, of blessed memory, have said (Bava Basra 78b) on the following verse: "'Therefore, the Allegorists said, come to Cheshbon' [this verse], and therefore, those who rule over their evil inclination say, 'come and evaluate the balance sheet of the world [a play on the word Chesbon which refers to an Emorite City but can also mean a balance sheet] – the loss of a mitzvah versus its gain, and the gain of a transgression versus its loss.…'" This is because truthful advice of this nature can only be given and can only be appreciated by those who have already freed themselves from the control of their evil inclination and who rule over it. One who remains imprisoned by his evil inclination can either see or grasp this truth. His evil inclination literally blinds his eyes, and he is like one who walks in darkness and cannot see the obstacles before him.

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

NUM275 Rabbi [Judah HaNasi, who codified the Mishnah] said: Which is the right course that a man should choose for himself?… Reckon the loss that a mitzvah entails, against its reward; and the benefit gained from a sin, against the loss it brings. Contemplate three things and you will not come into the hands, the clutches of sin: Know what is above you: an eye sees, and ear hears, and all your deeds are written, recorded in a Book. Pirkei Avot, Perek II, mishnah 1. The first obstacle that the evil inclination throws in the path of a person on his way to perform a mitzvah is the thought of what it has to cost. "Think of the time, the effort, the money. How could you!" Rabbi Judah HaNasi's answer is: We cannot deny that observing mitzvoth does involve an initial cost. But weigh this against the gain beyond price, the infinite reward that will surely come. When tempted by a transgression, on the other hand, you have an initial gain. This, too, cannot be denied. There is an immediate pleasure. People use the expression, "ugly as sin." Sin is ugly, but only after the fact. Before it is done, it is quite attractive and tempting. If it were not, people would not sin. True, says Rabbi Judah HaNasi, it tempts you; it offers you some immediate benefit, some ready profit. But weigh the momentary gain against the infinite loss, the irreparable harm that it brings. And Rabbi Judah HaNasi is not alone in this wise approach. "Said Rabbi Yohanan: What is the sense of the verse, 'Therefore the mosh'lim (JPS translates, "they that speak in parables"; RSV, "the ballad singers.") say: Come to heshbon' [this verse]? 'The mosh'lim means the rulers--those who rule and control their passions.' Come to heshbon': [they say] Come and let us make a heshbon, a reckoning of the world: the loss that a mitzvah entails, against its reward; the profit from a transgression, against the loss it brings" (T.B. Baba Bathra 78b). To control the yetzer hara, the evil inclination, this is the key: make a heshbon, a reckoning of what you gain and what you lose by everything, good or bad, that you do. For a mitzvah the cost, the loss is temporary; the reward is everlasting. For an averah, a transgression, the pleasure and the gain are transient; the harm, though it may not come at once, is devastating and permanent. In any system of accounting, what is important is the final figure in the last column. Of what avail is it to show a profit in the beginning but then have a deficit in red ink at the end? A series of pleasures is a perishing series. Good times leave nothing in their wake except a feeling of emptiness. The experience of many pleasures amounts to nothing of permanent value. Transgressions end with loss; that spells their true significance. On the other hand, mitzvoth end with gain; this is the reality. Make a heshbon, and you will become the "ruler of your spirit."

SHOW FULL EXCERPT

NUM276 It was taught: R. Shmuel b. Nachmani said in the name of R. Yochanan: What is the intent of: "Therefore, the rulers says: "Let us come to Cheshbon"? "The rulers" -- these are the rulers over their evil inclinations. "Let us come to Cheshbon" -- Let us come and make the world's accounting ["Cheshbon" (account)], the loss [entailed by the performance] of a mitzvah against its reward; and the reward of a transgression against its loss. "be built and established" -- If you do thus, you will be built up in this world and established for the world to come. "the city of Sichon" -- If a man makes himself like a young ass ["ayir," similar to "ir," "city"], which docilely follows the cajoling talk [("sichah," intimated by "Sichon") of its driver] -- What follows thereafter? (v. 28): "For a fire will go out of Cheshbon" -- A fire will come forth from the accounters and consume the non-accounters. "A flame from the city of Sichon" -- from the city of the righteous, who are referred to as "sprouts" ["sichin," intimated by "Sichon"]. "It shall consume Ar of Moav" -- This ["Ar"] refers to one who follows his evil inclination, as a young ass ["ayir"] follows the cajoling talk [of its driver]. "The men of the eminences of Arnon" -- these are the haughty ones, as the master has said: All those of haughty spirit, in the end fall into Gehinnom (Bava Bathra 78b)

SHOW FULL EXCERPT