In our ongoing exploration of daily spiritual growth, we find that while there are six constant commandments one can perform at any moment, there are four specific prohibitions that offer a unique opportunity. By simply abstaining from certain thoughts or actions, a person fulfills a commandment every single moment they refuse to engage in them. As discussed in the Pele Yoetz, these four principles form the foundation of a life lived with constant awareness of the Divine.
The first principle is the absolute understanding that there is no power in the world other than the Creator. This means internalizing that no human being has the independent power to give you anything, take anything away from you, show you favor, or bestow any benefit upon you. For example, if a person exerts tremendous effort to convince a buyer to make a purchase, and the order is successful, it is a mistake to credit the buyer for the success. While this might not be a literal violation of the negative commandment against formal idolatry, it is a trace of that same prohibition. One must realize that the customer is merely an instrument; the order itself comes from the Creator. Whether an order is placed or not, every event that ensues in one’s daily duties and activities is precipitated by Him alone.
This realization must be internalized in the small, often frustrating moments of life. If someone cuts you off in traffic, if you are bumped on a crowded city street, or if you experience turbulence on a plane, the natural reaction is to blame the driver, the pedestrian, or the pilot. However, the spiritual reality is that the Creator willed these moments to happen. This perspective does not negate human responsibility. If someone causes damage or insults another, they are still liable and must pay for their actions. We see this distinction in the life of King David. When Shimei ben Gera cursed him, David’s men wanted to execute Shimei for rebelling against the monarchy. David, however, understood that the curse was ultimately from the Creator. Nevertheless, Shimei was eventually punished because he chose to be the messenger for that negative act. We are responsible for our choices, but we must recognize that the ultimate source of all occurrences is Divine.
The second principle is the strict prohibition against forgetting the Creator. A person must ensure that the Holy One, Blessed is He, is never out of mind, regardless of the activity at hand. Even if a person were to find themselves devising an honest plan or dealing with complex affairs, they must maintain a constant awareness of the Divine presence. Forgetting the Creator, even momentarily, is a lapse in this constant obligation.
The third principle involves guarding one’s heart and eyes. While this is often understood as a requirement for visual modesty, the concept is much broader. It warns against allowing the heart to impulsively follow what the eyes perceive. Often, we see a situation and our emotions become immediately invested based on that visual input, leading to hasty reactions. We must realize that we rarely know all the facts or the second side of any story. By refusing to let our impulses dictate our reactions to what we see, we remain intellectually and spiritually grounded.
The fourth principle concerns the avoidance of pride and haughtiness. Just as we must recognize the Creator’s hand when others affect us, we must also recognize His hand in our own successes. When we achieve something great, we must acknowledge that it was the Creator who gave us the ability to succeed. This humility does not mean viewing oneself as a nobody. On the contrary, as the Talmud records in Tractate Sanhedrin, every person should recognize their immense value, knowing the world was created for their sake. The balance lies in knowing that while you are a significant individual chosen by the Creator, your successes are His gifts. May we always merit to be messengers and conduits for blessing and goodness. Shabbat Shalom.