Especially when "everyone else" seems to be having a grand old time.
But what if that "grand old time" is built on shaky foundations? What if following the crowd leads you right off a cliff? That's the warning we find in Sifrei Devarim, a part of the Deuteronomic literature. It's a powerful, timeless message about resisting the allure of assimilation and staying true to your own path.
The text cautions us, "Lest you are drawn after them, or lest you emulate them, or lest you do as they do, and they become a stumbling block to you." It’s more than just a simple "don't copy them." It's a recognition of the subtle, insidious way that foreign influences can creep into our lives and erode our values.
And the text doesn't stop there. It asks, "Why do I destroy them before you?" The answer is stark: "Because of their deeds." But the truly chilling part is what follows: "That you not do as they do and they come after you and destroy you." The Sifrei Devarim isn’t just worried about us adopting foreign customs; it's worried about those customs ultimately consuming us.
It's easy to think, "Oh, I'm strong enough. I can dabble in this without losing myself." But that's precisely the trap. The text anticipates this very thought, warning "and lest you inquire after their gods, saying, etc."
The Sifrei Devarim then gives specific examples, painting a vivid picture of the seductive nature of imitation. "That you not say: Since they go out in a toga, I will go out in a toga, too; since they go out in purple, I will go out in purple too; since they go out in fancy headdress, so will I."
These aren't just about clothes, are they? The toga, the purple robes, the fancy headdress – they represent an entire culture, a whole way of life. They're symbols of power, status, and belonging. And the temptation to adopt those symbols, to fit in, to be accepted, can be overwhelming. in our own terms. What are the "togas" and "purple robes" of today? What are the trends, the fashions, the ideologies that beckon us to conform? What are the seemingly harmless ways we might compromise our values in order to be accepted by the dominant culture?
This isn't about living in a bubble, isolated from the world. It's about being mindful, intentional, and discerning. It's about understanding that not everything that glitters is gold, and that sometimes, the most alluring paths lead to ruin. It's about recognizing that true strength lies not in imitation, but in staying true to our own unique identity, our own values, our own Torah.
It’s a reminder that our actions have consequences, not just for ourselves, but for generations to come. It’s a call to vigilance, a plea for self-awareness, and an invitation to choose our own path, even when it's the less-traveled one. What will you choose?