Dual Personality
I often meet Jews who are punctilious in fulfilling the maxim of “immersing while holding an impure object,” meaning that they talk the talk and walk the walk of G-d-fearing Jews, while, at the same time, subscribing to inappropriate modes of behavior.
A Jew who I used to know is a case in point. He and his family lived with a blatant lack of modesty in their home. He refused to wear a kippah, and on Shabbat, he would take his family to the beach, rachmana litzlan.
In spite of his wrongdoings, this man acted as the shaliach tzibbur in the Beit Hakeneset, and would even deliver sermons before the worshippers. Moreover, many would ask him questions in halachah, and he would resolve their difficulties.
Shaken to the core at his misconduct, and in order to prevent further sin, I rebuked the fellow. “You know good and well that you sin by going bare-headed. Could you explain to me how, in spite of your very remiss lifestyle, you have the audacity to serve as shaliach tzibbur, to deliver sermons, and even to respond to halachic queries? Do you have any rationalization for the paradoxical life you lead?”
“Please tell me,” the man began, with an innocent expression on his face, “what is the connection between the two? Where is the contradiction between how one lives and performing rabbinic duties?”
Offended and disturbed by his self-complacency, I pressed on. “If you transgress so many offenses, it is obvious that you lack basic yirat Shamayim. How do you have the brazenness to act as the spokesman for the congregation during prayer and offer your opinion regarding halachah? Furthermore, when people see you walking about bare-headed, they think that if the shaliach tzibbur can go this way, certainly they can, too. They are told that this is forbidden, but they take an example from you. You are role-modeling improper behavior.”
I made several attempts to chastise him, but my words slipped off his well-greased heart. I looked him squarely in the eye, and he had the good grace to lower his gaze, but nothing more than that. I thought that maybe, one day, my words would penetrate. Unfortunately, he never changed his ways.
How powerful is the force of the Yetzer Hara! He is capable of drawing a Jew who is able to serve as a rabbi into his service, bringing him under his absolute control.
