“We have to care about every Jew, but if someone is likely to drag you into bad things, you have to stay far away, especially if he acts like Korach – flaunting authority and stirring up quarrels. Better join up with people from whom you can learn good ways. One summer in the right or wrong surroundings can make a huge impact on a kid’s life!”
“…so Yanky, that’s why we can’t send you to Eretz Yisroel for the summer.”
It’s not fair, thought Yanky. I had my summer all planned out, and now, in one moment, it all goes down the drain!
Mrs. Gold looked sympathetically at Yanky, as if his thoughts were written across his forehead. “I know you are disappointed, but we were all affected by yesterday’s break-in. The thieves caused us much more damage than you may imagine. Aside from the money and jewelry they took, they have ruined our summer plans. Before anyone can travel, the passports and important papers that they stole have to be cancelled and replaced. Meanwhile, the locks have to be changed and we are considering installing a security system. Of course we’ll get all of our mezuzos checked. I feel as if we’ve been robbed of our time and our peace of mind along with the objects that were taken.”
Rabbi Gold tried to console Yanky: “Although we don’t have much extra cash at this point, we are ready to pay for any suitable program that you would want to join here. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, we don’t have time to do much research into the programs available. You would have to find out on your own about what is happening for boys your age, and we will have to rely on the information you get. Although under normal circumstances your mother and I would be more involved in choosing a program, this time we will have to trust your judgment. We know that you are responsible and mature, and will not disappoint us.”
Yanky understood that his parents had even more reason to be upset than he did. He swallowed his disappointment, and set to work finding out about different options. After many phone calls, he came up with the following list of possibilities:
Day camp – of course, I’m too old to be a camper, and the local day camp has already hired all of their staff.
Overnight camp #1 – the Masmidim program is full. However, I could come up to camp as a waiter.
Overnight camp #2 – the boys that I know who are going there are not the ones I look up to. The program, however, sounds really exciting.
Summer clubs – run by the local community center, it offers different kinds of activities each afternoon. If I could find someone to learn with in the mornings, I could go to the clubs for a couple of hours each day, after lunch.
Yanky went to visit Velvel, an older Yeshiva bachur that he looked up to. He pulled the list out of his pocket and explained the situation. “…and here are the possibilities that I came up with. How do I choose between them? Each program has good points and bad. Not one is perfect.”
Velvel read through the list. “It looks like you did a lot of research. I’m very impressed with your assessment of each possibility. I don’t know enough about each one to tell you what to choose. I will, however, tell you something that I learned today from a Sicha that may help you make a wise decision.
“When the Jewish people were in the desert, they camped around the Mishkan in a specific order, as commanded by Hashem Yisborach. The Torah mentions that the children of Kehos (except for Moshe and Aharon’s families) camped on the same side of the Mishkan as the legions of Reuven, while Moshe and Aharon were neighbors of Yehuda’s group. When Korach, from Kehos, made his rebellion, his neighbors were affected negatively, while the neighbors of Moshe became great Torah scholars and leaders.
“The Rebbe explains that according to Rashi’s explanation on this, a friend’s influence is not superficial, but creates a deep and lasting change in a person.”
“But aren’t we supposed to look at every Jew favorably? Who is considered a bad neighbor?”
“It is true that every Jew is precious and deep down wants to be good. We have to care about every Jew, but if someone is likely to drag you into bad things, you have to stay far away, especially if he acts like Korach – flaunting authority and stirring up quarrels. Better join up with people from whom you can learn good ways. One summer in the right or wrong surroundings can make a huge impact on a kid’s life!”
Yanky thought for a moment, then said: “But even in the best of programs, there are bound to be some bad influences.”
“The power of good is much stronger than the power of bad. Good friends will make an even greater impact on you. Just avoid quarrels, pursue peace, and keep learning Torah. Peace increases Torah learning, and Torah learning increases peace.”
When Yanky came home, his parents had some news for him.
“Boruch Hashem, the police caught the thieves, and found most of our things!” Mrs Gold informed him.
“It seems that the robbers got into an argument and when it got violent, someone called the police,” explained Rabbi Gold.
“It’s sad how some people can ruin their lives by getting into a bad crowd. I’m sure these thieves were once sweet little children,” remarked Mrs. Gold.
Rabbi Gold added, “We are going down now to the police station to identify everything. Luckily we didn’t cancel the passports. Do you know what this means, Yanky?”
“My trip is back on?”
“That’s right!”
Yanky was excited, but he knew that after his talk with Velvel, he was going to make the most of this opportunity. He would stick to the guys who would be “good neighbors,” pursue peace, and keep learning Torah.
The lesson in this fictional story is based on Likkutei Sichos Vol. 33 pp. 10-17.