Patterns and habits can be powerful tools for success, through consistency and momentum. Unfortunately, they can be very detrimental as well, locking us into behavior which takes us further and further away from where we really want to go. Ben Azai gives discerning advice when he says we should run to a ‘light’ misva as we would for a ‘stringent’ misva, and we should run from sin. We need to know that our actions, even seemingly insignificant, can lead to a pattern of behavior. Ben Azai’s next statement crystallizes this point: ‘A misva leads to anothermisva, and sin leads to another sin; the ‘reward’ for a misva is a misva, and the ‘reward’ for a sin is a sin[1].’

Perashat Behar, as understood by the Hakhamim, shows how one sin can start a person down a negative path[2]. The progression, the negative spiral, starts with this person transgressing by selling the seventh year’s produce. This violates the first misva mentioned in our perasha. Every seven years the land of Israel needs to lie fallow and the crops from that year may not be sold. If a person did do business with this produce, the Torah states that he will not have success and then may need to sell his house. Thus this negative spiral begins, leading to him becoming a pagan’s slave. This progression was articulated by R’ Yose Bar R’ Hannina[3]. He expresses that the sequence of misvot for the rest of this parasha articulate a series of events that will occur as a consequence of selling his produce[4]:

1. He will then be unsuccessful and forced to sell his property (Vayiqra 25:25)
2. Then he will have to sell his house (Vayiqra 25:29)
3. Then he will have to borrow at interest (Vayiqra 25: 35-38)
4. Then he will need to sell himself as a servant (Vayiqra 25:39, 47)
5. Eventually,he will be the slave of an idolater (Vayiqra 25:47 see Rashi on seder Mishpahat Ger)

One action can take us down a path leading to increasingly detrimental behaviors, events, and situations. We should not say, “Just this time” or “It’s not that big of a deal.” One action can lead to another. Once we begin a behavioral pattern, it becomes part of us and is very difficult to change. Even one inappropriate action can take us on a negative path. We not only become accustomed to that behavior and view the transgression more lightly–the consequences of our actions will continually worsen[5].

This same principle can be seen in the positive. Ben Azai said one should run to a ‘light’ misva as he would for a ‘stringent’ misva, since one misva will lead to another. When we are heading in the wrong direction, one of the best things we can do is to take even a small step in the right direction.

There is a parable about a man who wants to get rid of the darkness in his room. He tried with all of his might to push away the darkness, but could not make any strides; the room was just as dark as before. The man finally realized that the only way of ridding the room of darkness is to light a candle, thus bringing in the light. It is much harder to try and stop a negative behavior than it is to start a positive behavior. Like the man in the dark room, we cannot push away the darkness; we can only bring the light.

We should try our best not to end up in the dark room through taking the time and effort to think before each action we take. “Is what I’m about to say proper or improper?” “Is there something positive that will come out of this?” “Is it really worth it?” If the person who was selling the seventh years crops would have taken the time to realize the consequence of his actions, he may never have taken them in the first place. It is much harder to rectify a situation than to do it right the first time. It is always easier to not say something harsh to a friend or family member than to make amends after the fact. Once we are in the situation, the corrective action is in positive action.

Remember, each proper action will lead to another, eventually changing our entire behavior, leading us in the right direction. Let’s decide, right now, to create a positive pattern of behavior in ourselves.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Meyer Laniado

[1]Pirqei Abot 4:2

[2]Beraita on Qiddushin 20a

[3] Loosely explained

[4] Assuming the person does not do teshuba

[5] The concept of one action leading to another and eventually taking a person further on a path is not a new one, but is one we need to constantly remember.