It is written in the Torah: keeping our eyes pure is not so simple. In our generation, it has become a very, very difficult test, because outside in the street, it’s very bad. When we go, we have to look our way, but we can also see something bad. That’s not new. And now there is a cell phone, computers, and the internet; all of that has caused a big, big test for people in our time. And we have to pass the test.
Somebody came to my father and told him, “Rabbi, I see you. You learn a lot of Torah, and you remember what you learned. Can you give me the secret? How could you remember everything the way you do?” My father said, “Yes, I will tell you. The Pasuk (verse) said, ‘You want to remember? Keep your eyes from looking at bad things.’”
There was a rabbi people used to go to for a beracha (blessing). His name was Rabbi Elazar Abuhatzeira. I asked my father maybe 30 years ago if I had to go to him to get a beracha. My father told me, “Go to him,” because this rabbi protects his eyes; he covers his face all the time. He looks only at kedushah, only good things. Because of that, his beracha will be fulfilled.
It’s not an extra mitzvah (commandment). It’s not that if you do it, it’s lifnim mishurat hadin. It’s more than you need. It’s chovah (obligation). You cannot be Yirei Shamayim (those who fear Heaven) without this: protecting your eyes, not looking at bad things, not tzniut (modesty). So it’s a big test, but it’s possible. If we want, it’s possible. And be'ezrat Hashem (with God's help), everyone will do that, like my father said: velo taturu, lema'an tizkeru (And you shall not stray ... so that you may remember). He will remember his Torah. He will grow up with Torah and Yirat Shamayim.
I want to bless the organization, Vayma'en, good name, Yosef HaTzadik Vayma'en. Be'ezrat Hashem, you will be successful. You will convince many people to keep this mitzvah. And be'ezrat Hashem, everyone who tries and does it will pass the test. Be'ezrat Hashem, you will have long life, good children. Be'ezrat Hashem, he and his wife together will be with kedushah, parnasa tova (good livelihood), kol haberachot sheba Torah (all the blessings in the Torah). Amen, ken, Yehi Ratzon (Amen, yes, may it be so).