Emuna Daily

The end of the first mishna of the second chapter of Pirkei Avos states “Consider three things and you will not come into the grip of sin: Know what is above you – a watchful Eye, an attentive Ear, and all your deeds are recorded in a Book.”

People tend to underestimate the significance of their actions and thoughts.  The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 34:9) teaches: Had Reuben known that God would write [in the Torah, that he had wanted to rescue Joseph], Reuben would have carried Joseph on his shoulders.  Had Boaz known that God would record that he had given some food to Ruth, he would have given her a sumptuous meal.

The mishna therefore teaches that all of our deeds are recorded in a Book because they truly are important.  If we are constantly aware of the significance of our actions and that everything is being recorded, it will prevent us from stumbling into sin.

“It is told of the holy Chida that he loved smelling tobacco. Once, when visiting a certain town, he had left his tobacco at his dinner host and wanted it in middle of the night. So, he trudged in the cold to his earlier host and awoke him to retrieve his tobacco. In the morning, he considered how he had allowed his base urges to rouse someone from his sleep and he regretted his actions. Despite how much he enjoyed his habit, he immediately accepted upon himself to never use smelling tobaccos again for this impulse had led him to momentarily be inconsiderate of others. He realized that his desires were too powerful and needed to be entirely eradicated.” ~ Rav Menachem Azolai as translated by Dov Elias