The Decision to Disregard Directives
A disciple of mine informed me that he wished to visit his family who lived far away. Knowing the neighborhood where his family lived, I warned him numerous times to keep away from questionable places where he might be drawn into sin.
“Does the Rav suspect me of transgressing?” he asked, incredulously. “I am certain that I will never commit any sins there.” He was full of self-certainty and pride.
Sadly, pride goes before a fall. He traveled to his parents’ home and fell into the snare of sin.
He was not careful enough regarding the protection of his spiritual level. Our Sages exhort us (Avot 2:4), “Do not believe in yourself until the day you die.”
