Avoiding the Situation | Rabbi Moshe Scheinerman

Vayimaen, which has meant to many of us or most of us the stubborn refusal to succumb to the enticements of the Yetzer Hara. When a person is faced with a Nisayon, with a test, which can compromise his spiritual integrity, he is being encouraged by the concept of Vayimaen to turn away and not succumb. However, there is another dimension which is extremely important and pivotal, which also is under the umbrella appreciation of Vayimaen. And that is not to allow one's self into a situation which can bring to a compromise in one's spiritual integrity. We know, for example, in Kelm, the Alter of Kelm, R’ Simcha Zissel, instructed the townspeople, concerning their marketplace, that the men would shop on the right side of the street, and the ladies on the left side of the street. All in order to thwart any situation which can bring to a compromise in one's appreciation of Vayimaen. We know that in the Mir the exact same thing existed. In fact, if a fellow would shop on the ladies’ side, they would call it, כדרך הדרשנים, homiletically, they would call it Yichud. In Gateshead, they have hours of the day when the girls seminary can shop, and no men from the Yeshiva, no fellows or boys or men may shop in the supermarkets during those hours. Again, this is a Chizuk, a strengthening of the Vayimaen, taking it to the next level of not only when you’re confronted with a Nisayon, but in order not to lead to a Nisayon, to a test of compromising. R’ Avigdor Miller's father-in-law, Rabbi Lessin, was told to get out of the building where they live, because there was a fire. They knocked on the door. Rabiner, out! And he didn't leave. And they opened the door and they saw that he was putting on his bow-tie and his top hat. He called it a cylinder. And then he exited. Because he felt that as a Rav, he has to always, even in such a situation, a fire alarm, but another half a minute or so, I must look presentable. The same Rabbi Lessin, a few days later, was seen in the hallway, without his top hat, without his bow-tie, his shirt out of his pants. And they asked him: What happened? Where are you? Rebbe, what's the matter? And he said: What don't you understand? The עוזרת, the housegirl, has now entered to clean my house. I have no right to be there. That's how serious R’ Lessin took the Inyan of Yichud, which really is the umbrella appreciation of what we're trying to bring to your attention. R’ Dovid Rappoport, who was skin and bones, my father told me he was the Rebbe in Baranovich, by R’ Elchonon. The fellows saw one time that he jumped headfirst out of the window. And they ran over to him. Rebbe, what's the matter? He said: A female has entered my room. And if a female entered my room, I must be out of there as quick as possible. Again, this concept of Yichud. In fact, the Gemara in Baba Basra brings down, If a person has a way of accomplishing that which he wants to accomplish and that way would not put him in harm's way, but there's another way which puts him in harm's way, he's called wicked, he's called a Rasha, if he goes in the way which can possibly lead to a compromise in his spiritual integrity. The Tachlis of Vayimaen is to, Number one: To be Mechazek and strengthen ourselves not to succumb to the Yetzer Hara when faced with a Nisayon. And number two, perhaps even more important, Not to bring to a situation which will necessitate possibly a choice between Chas v’Shalom, doing an Aveira, or vanquishing the Yetzer Hara, and going in the path of the straight and narrow.