But if you do not listen to Me and do not perform all these commandments, and if you despise My statutes and reject My ordinances, not performing any of My commandments, thereby breaking My covenant (Vayikra 26:14-15)

Rashi lists seven steps of how a person goes downhill in his service of Hashem. He states first the person does not toil in Torah. Then, he does not observe mitzvos. This leads to despising others who keep the mitzvos which leads to despising the sages. Next he will try to stop others from doing mitzvos. He will deny the mitzvos exist and finally he will deny Hashem. The question is how could someone sink so low just because he does not toil in Torah.

Recently, I made a big change in my life. Without going into too much details, there is something different about me which everyone immediately noticed. Therefore, the first time people saw me, many of them made a comment about the change I made. I have been thinking about making this change for a long time, but I was hesitant to do it. A major reason for the hesitation was because of my concern over the comments I would receive. But I was discussing with my Rav about the change and he said to me that I should think what it would be like three weeks after I make the change. No one will make comments anymore. So, I should think if this change would be ultimately positive or negative. After discussing the matter with my Rav, we both concluded that it would be positive.

This is the key to how someone can fall. When someone sins, there are comments for a day or two or maybe even a week, but then they stop. Everyone becomes used to the “change”, even the person himself. A person does not immediately go from not toiling in Torah to denying the existence of Hashem. It is a step-by-step process, but once a new step is reached, it becomes habit. It becomes the new norm. Then, the next step is taken.

This is true by sins, but it is also true by growing in mitzvos. If a person wants to move in a positive direction, it is done step-by-step. People sometimes are hesitant to take on something new because they are worried of the comments. A person wants to start attending a class or coming on-time to minyan every day. He may worry about the attention he is going to receive and the comments he is going to get. The solution is to imagine three weeks in the future. You will then be one of the regular members of the class. No one is going to say any comments to you. No one will look differently at you. This is the new norm. And this is the key to growing – take it step-by-step. If a person takes baby steps, after a few years, he will be on top of a high mountain.

Good Shabbos!
-y.e.s.
please send any comments or questions to: [email protected]
to see previous Divrei Simcha on the Parsha, please go to www.divreisimcha.com OR www.chesedclub.com > Torah Study