Ben Sira, that wise sage whose words we find in the apocryphal book of the same name, grapples with just that. He paints a portrait, not of perfection, but of something far more compelling: the power to choose the right path, even when the wrong one beckons.
"Who hath blessed it, and made his life perfect?" Ben Sira asks. It's a rhetorical question, of course. Perfection is a high bar, maybe even an impossible one. But the verse isn’t really about perfection. It's about striving.
Then comes the heart of it: "Who was able to stray, and strayed not? And to do evil to a neighbor, and would not?" It's not enough to simply not do wrong. Ben Sira highlights the struggle, the temptation. The real test isn't avoiding evil when it’s easy, but resisting it when it's within our grasp. When we have the yetzer hara, the evil inclination, whispering in our ear. When we could get away with it. That's when true character shines.
And what's the reward for resisting that temptation? "Therefore his good is sure; And the congregation shall declare his praise." It's not just about personal virtue. It's about the impact on the community. When we choose good, we inspire good in others. Our actions become a testament, a kiddush Hashem, a sanctification of God's name through our deeds.
But Ben Sira doesn’t stop there. He moves on to practical advice, especially relevant in a communal setting, perhaps a meal or gathering. "Be to them as one of them; Take thought for them, and afterward be seated: Supply their want, and afterward recline."
This is about humility and empathy. Put others first. Consider their needs before your own. Don't lord it over them or demand special treatment. Serve, and then, only then, can you relax. It’s a powerful lesson in leadership and in basic human decency. Imagine how different our world would be if we all lived by this simple principle.
Ben Sira's words are a reminder that being a good person isn’t about avoiding mistakes. It’s about the choices we make when faced with temptation, and the way we treat those around us. It's a call to action, urging us to be mindful, compassionate, and always striving to do better.
So, the next time you're faced with a difficult choice, remember Ben Sira's question. Remember the power you have to choose good, even when it’s hard. And remember the impact your choices have on the world around you. Because in the end, it's not about perfection, but about the journey—the constant, conscious effort to be a better version of ourselves.