Stop and go. The
Torah advises both approaches when making a decision.
Early in Parshat Ki Teitzei, we are told to stop. When an Israelite warrior captures a foreign
woman and wishes to make her his wife, he must allow her a month’s time to
lament her parents before marrying her.
If, at the end of the month, if “you no longer want her, you must
release her outright” (Deuteronomy 21:14).
The immorality of indentured wives notwithstanding, the Torah recognizes
that lust can cause us to act in harmful ways.
Lust, greed, jealousy and pride, among others, are powerful human
forces. While they can sometimes bring good,
they often bring hurt. If the driving force
behind our action is one of these, we’re well advised to pause and let the
moment pass before something irrevocable happens and lives are damaged.
On the other hand, sometimes we must act in the moment. “When you make a vow to the Eternal your God,
do not put off fulfilling it, for the Eternal your God will require it of you”
(Deuteronomy 23:22). When we make
commitments, whether to God, to another human being, or to ourselves, we should
rush to fulfill them. Similarly, when we
desire to do something good – to help another, to give tzedakah, to live up to
our potential – we shouldn’t put it off.
The moment may pass and our opportunity to do the right thing may
disappear along with it. The world is,
as a result, a little bit worse off.
Our society is all about instant gratification. Banks, pharmacies, and supermarkets are open
24/7. We can watch any TV show whenever
we want. Text messages demand immediate
response. While this is powerfully
convenient, it also lulls us into acting without reflecting. Human beings are called “homo sapiens” for a
reason. Let’s not forgo our ability to
think.
When a passion comes upon you, take a moment to consider the
source. If it calls you to a negative
act, see if you can wait it out. If it
calls you to a mitzvah, pursue.
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