- Sections
- Ein Ayah
133
Ein Ayah: A person is influenced by his internal life, namely, his inner feelings, which impact on all his steps and his lot in life, and his external life, that which his surroundings and society impact on him. A person should not lose either of these influences on his life.
Honor is one of the emotions that is influenced by external life and is positive in the correct measure. One should not give up his basic honor. Indeed, in order to protect one’s basic dignity, it is even possible to refrain from fulfilling one of the Torah’s positive mitzvot or to actively violate a Rabbinic law.
Therefore, even one who has failed and violated a great and overwhelming sin should not lose positive exposure to society around him. Rather, he should strengthen his internal feelings to the point that his life is more focused on the internal. In this context, he should focus on contemplating his failings, striving to straighten himself out, and fixing his actions. It is a tragedy for the sinner whose path has been perverted to throw himself into the buzz of external life, for he is likely to deteriorate further and suffer from it greatly. Therefore, when the people of his city want to honor the unintentional murderer, he should reject the false honor and say, "I am a murderer," and thereby put a stress on his feeling of inner justice. He should focus on the remorse in his heart about the tragedy of loss of a life in which he was involved more than he should involve himself in a robust social life in which he is honored.
However, when they respond to him, "Despite this," he should not totally dismiss the influence of the external, and he should receive their honor. This is appropriate after he already strengthened his internal side over the external [through his sincere statement] and elevated his soul by turning to the values of goodness, justice, and wisdom. This is the attribute of justice that follows the path of Hashem, who sets the path for sinners and leads the humble in judgment. Such a carefully balanced repentance will bring a person to a high level based on love of Hashem and His paths.

The Road to Heaven is Also Paved With Good Intentions
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,19
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Adar 5783

Extreme Physicality and Extreme Spirituality
condensed from Ein Ayah, Berachot 9:225
Various Rabbis | 23 Tevet 5773

Two Styles of Building
condensed from Ein Ayah, Shabbat 10:17
Various Rabbis | Nissan 7 5780

Who Cares Who Said What?! Why Rabbis Always Quote
Ein Aya Shabbat 5,13
Rabbi Ari Shvat | Shvat 5783
The Role of the Kohanim
Chapter Twenty-Part Four
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775

In Search of the True Nesher
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | 5770
The Role of the Kohanim
Chapter Twenty-Part Four
Rabbi Eliezer Melamed | 5775

The Twentieth of Sivan
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Sivan 17 5780
Daf Yomi Shevuot Daf 10
R' Eli Stefansky | 13 Iyar 5785

Parashat Hashavua: Kedoshim Teh’yu, Goy Kadosh – Are They Related?
Rabbi Yossef Carmel | Iyar 5785
Daf Yomi Shevuot Daf 11
R' Eli Stefansky | 14 Iyar 5785
