Be Crazy But In a Good Way

 

In Maseches Sotah, Chazal tell us that “Ein odom over aveira ela im kein nichnas bo ruach shtus – A Jew sins only if a spirit of foolishness takes over him.”

 

Why do Chazal describe sinning as “foolish?” Wouldn’t a better word be “wrong.” In Chassidus, it explains that of course committing a sin is wrong, but it’s also crazy. Naturally, a Jew should never be able to do anything against Hashem’s will. The default position of a Jew, who has a G-dly soul, is to follow the Torah. It’s normal for him/her. Doing anything against Hashem is contrary to who we are, it’s crazy.

 

So is the solution to be “normal?” Should we counter this foolishness with rationality? The Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe – whose yahrzeit is this Shabbos – explains that one should actually channel that craziness for the good. We should be “Good Crazy”, what he calls “Shtus D’Kedusha.” This means that we shouldn’t only do what makes sense. We shouldn’t let ourselves get stuck in our limitations and boundaries. Realizing that we have a Soul which is one with the infinite G-d, we should serve Him with an infinite commitment.

 

We should be “crazy” about HAsherm and His Torah.

 

 

Back Back