Being a Fence-sitter

Motek

Sun, Mar 19 2006, 7:08 pm

The haftora of parshas Ki Sisa describes Eliyahu gathering all the false prophets together with all the Jewish people, and asking them: How long will you waver between two opinions?

Why didn't Eliyahu simply say: How long are you going to continue worshipping idols? Stop serving idols and serve Hashem!

The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains the difference between outright idolatry and idolatry which is fence-sitting. Outright idolatry means a person really believes he benefits from his idol. A fence-sitter is in doubt - either he's unsure as to what to believe in, or he believes in Hashem plus something else.

The Rebbe says that wavering between two opinions is in many ways WORSE than outright idolatry. GENERALLY, outright idolatry is worse of course, but in terms of TESHUVA, the fence-sitter is worse because it's harder for him to do teshuva fully.

Why?

Because someone who once believed in idolatry, who realizes he was wrong, can fully do teshuva. The one who wavers and believes in Hashem plus something else or doubts, doesn't do a full teshuva because he claims he always believed in G-d.

Also, the one who fully believes in idolatry can be a spiritual individual, just a misguided spiritual individual.

But the one who wavers shows that not only is he not interested in the true G-d, but he is spiritually insensitive. Although he knows Hashem is G-d, he is still willing to give idols some credit, thinking he'll benefit in some way. Even when he realizes the truth, he does teshuva only because of personal gain.

And the third point the Rebbe mentions is that outright idolators are not copied by others. It's the fence-sitters who corrupt others.

So, when it comes to our commitment to Torah and mitzvos are we fully committed or not? something to think about ...

What about our hiskashrus to the Rebbe? Are we part-time mekusharim? Or for those who have roshei yeshiva and rabbonim that guide them - is the emunas chachamim 100% or selective?

What about our principles - do we have any? or do we espouse moral relativism, saying "to each his own" and "everybody is right" or "everybody is wrong" or everybody is "both right and wrong"? and it's a matter of "personal choice" and what "feels right for you"?

chavamom

Sun, Mar 19 2006, 7:39 pm

Motek wrote:

What about our principles - do we have any? or do we espouse moral relativism, saying "to each his own" and "everybody is right" or "everybody is wrong" or everybody is "both right and wrong"? and it's a matter of "personal choice" and what "feels right for you"?

Two points - 1) One can follow his rav/rebbe and their derech while recognizing that other drachim are valid and 2) there is a difference between espousing 'personal choice' , 'to each his own', etc and acknowledging people for where they are holding right now.