Masechet Hagigah (19a) teaches a specific law of purity and impurity that is held in the times when the Bet HaMikdash (when The Temple in Jerusalem) is established and built. These special laws of Tumah and Tahara (purity and impurity) are detailed explanations of what to do, what to touch, how to do certain things to avoid making the object (or the individual him/herself) tameh (impure). When an individual and/or and object is impure, they must do certain things to get rid of the impurity. For example, in order to get to one of the specific levels of Kedusha (purity) of Kodesh one must dip in a mikveh with the intention of getting pure for that level.
In Masechet Hagigah, the Gemara discusses the Law of Ki Utan which teaches us that certain object/foods become accessible to impurity when they get wet by any of seven liquids (olive oil, water, wine, etc.). What can we learn from this so us CLD readers can use on a daily basis and for our Avodat Hashem (service of G-d)?
If one looks at all these different types of liquids, we know that for all of them they connect with their own kind. Meaning if we put oil with itself is soluble, water with itself is soluble, wine with itself is soluble, etc. If we look at human beings, we are meant to be social, to connect with others, to network our way through life and its hardships and always stay positive by helping other people. How can we refrain from living a life of Judaism and connecting with the wrong people if we are so social? The answer is we cannot. So what do we do? We simply keep a distance.
We are not taught to completely avoid speaking to people who are wicked who cause a bad influence, but we do learn from books of Mussar (Orhot Tzaddikim, Mepharshim on the Torah, etc.) that we all should distance ourselves from bad influences. This is what we can learn from the Gemara. Just like water links with water and then touches fruits/produce/objects and causes it to be accessible for impurity, so too people who are just far away from the path of Torah. All we need to do is keep the proper distance. If you do not know where the line is ask yourself: Would my Rabbi do this? If you don't have a Rabbi, get one because they help with your spiritual issues much better than your friends.
Judaism=Think.
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