The sixth and final of the six constant mitzvot is the commandment, “Do not be misled by your heart and eyes.” We find the exhortation in the following verse:
ืึฐืึธืึธึฃื ืึธืึถืึฎ ืึฐืฆึดืืฆึดืชึ ืึผืจึฐืึดืืชึถึฃื ืึนืชึืึน ืึผืึฐืึทืจึฐืชึถึผืึ ืึถืชึพืืึผืึพืึดืฆึฐืึบึฃืช ืึฐ-ืึน-ืึธึ-ื ืึทืขึฒืฉึดืืืชึถึื ืึนืชึธึื ืึฐืึนึฝืึพืชึธืชึืึผืจืึผ ืึทืึฒืจึตึคื ืึฐืึทืึฐืึถืึ ืึฐืึทืึฒืจึตึฃื ืขึตึฝืื ึตืืึถึื
ืึฒืฉึถืืจึพืึทืชึถึผึฅื ืึนื ึดึืื ืึทืึฒืจึตืืึถึฝืื
That shall be your fringe; look at it and recall all the commandments of Hashem and observe them, so that you do not follow your heart and eyes in your lustful urge. (Bamidbar 15:39)
The phrase “Sur mei’ra v’aseh tov” (ืกืืจ ืื ืืจืข ืืขืฉื ืืื), meaning “Turn away from evil and do good” (Tehillim 34:15), teaches that in order to do good, we must first separate ourselves from evil. This means that before we can engage in positive, righteous actions, we need to distance ourselves from negative influences or behaviors that could prevent us from doing so. If we are still affected by these negative forces, we wonโt be able to do what is right. This is one of the core lessons of the sixth constant mitzvah. Let us now delve deeper into the additional insights this commandment offers.
The Pathway to Sin or Sanctity
Rashi explains that the verb “taturu” is used here in the context of not allowing the heart and eyes to lead a person astray. It is derived from the same root as the word used in Bamidbar 13:25, where the spies went to explore (or “search”) the land of Canaan. Thus, just as the spies were sent to explore the land with a specific mission, the heart and eyes, if unchecked, can lead a person to “explore” sinful desires.
He then explains that the eyes first see the object of desire, which is where temptation enters the person’s consciousness. The eyes observe something that sparks lust, covetousness, or desire. The heart then reacts to what the eyes have seen. The heart, as the emotional center, begins to covet what the eyes have perceived, intensifying the desire. This increased desire can eventually lead to the body acting on the impulse, committing the sin.
If we can guard our eyes, we can prevent the heart from intensifying this desire. And if we can control the heart, we can stop ourselves from acting on the urge, ultimately avoiding the sin.
From Distraction to Divine
In Chovot HaLevavot, Chapter 9, the author discusses the concept of prishut (abstinence) and its relevance to controlling oneโs sensory experiences, particularly sight. One of the central points in this chapter is the idea that a person must be vigilant in protecting their spiritual and mental state by controlling what they expose themselves to visually. The Chovot HaLevavot teaches that we should carefully choose what to look at, avoiding unnecessary distractions that could detract from our spiritual focus and growth. The author writes:
Endeavor to shut your eyes and shut your sense of sight from seeing that which you do not need, or that which will distract your mind from thinking of what will be of use to you. Separate yourself as much as you can from superfluous sights, just like you separate from looking at things which are forbidden to look at. The Creator has already exhorted on this in saying “you shall not wander after your hearts and after your eyes” (Bamidbar 15:39)
The idea of “shutting our eyes” and “guarding our sight” goes beyond simply avoiding prohibited or sinful things; it extends to being mindful of anything that may divert our attention from what is truly meaningful and beneficial for our lives.
If we can guard our eyes, we can prevent the heart from intensifying this desire. And if we can control the heart, we can stop ourselves from acting on the urge, ultimately avoiding the sin.
The author then explains how one should properly use their eyes:
Rather use your eyes to gaze at the works of the Creator, to examine them, to contemplate them, and to understand the omnipotence of the Creator, and His wisdom and benevolence from them, as David said: “When I consider your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained” (Tehilim 8:4), and “The heavens declare the glory of G-d; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork” (Tehilim 19:2).
Rather than being passively led by our senses, we have the ability to consciously choose to direct them toward positive, holy experiencesโsuch as contemplating the works of the Creator. By doing so, we strengthen our connection to God and keep our hearts and minds focused in the right place. In essence, the Chovot HaLevavot invites us to transform our relationship with sight. The eyes, though capable of leading us into distraction and temptation, can also serve as instruments of spiritual enlightenment and connection. By actively choosing to look at the works of the Creator, we are reminded of His omnipotence, His wisdom, and His benevolence.
In conclusion, the heart and eyes are not evil in and of themselves, but they require guidance and control to ensure that they do not become channels for sin. Visual stimuli can be a powerful force in shaping our thoughts, desires, and ultimately our actions. By actively controlling what we look at, we protect ourselves from the influence of unnecessary and even harmful desires. By controlling what we see, we can prevent unnecessary desires from forming in our hearts. This, in turn, helps us avoid falling into temptation and sin.
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