ויאמר ד' לקין למה חרה לך ולמה נפלו פניך. הלא אם תטיב שאת ואם לא תטיב לפתח חטאת רבץ.
The Baal HaTanya, zl, derives an important lesson concerning human nature from this pasuk. We note that the individual outlook of people varies in perspective. There are those who see negativity all of the time. They care about mitzvah observance and seek every opportunity to strengthen it, but at what expense? Everywhere they go, whatever comes into their line of vision, they see sin. Everyone but themselves, of course, is not observing Torah and mitzvos properly: Shabbos observance is not what it should be; people are not learning enough; their manner of dress reflects western society’s moral bankruptcy – and…
