Q&A: Ethics
Ethics
Question
What is your attitude toward ethics? Is it worthwhile / necessary to study it? And if not, how do we improve ourselves and become better people? Maybe you’ve already written about this?
Answer
In the overwhelming majority of cases, a person knows what is moral and what is not, and usually moral failings are not due to lack of knowledge. Therefore, I think that usually this is not a matter of study but mainly of thought, awareness, and focus. Thinking about moral questions and forming a position about them makes you more aware and more skilled. In addition, throughout life one must be aware of situations in which a decision is required, and be focused on making the right decision and resisting urges and interests.
Discussion on Answer
I don’t know. Closeness to the Holy One, blessed be He, is not well enough defined, and I have no information on the matter. What I do know is that Torah study is cleaving to His will and His mind.
“Cleaving to His will and His mind” — what is that if not getting closer to Him?
But I have no way of knowing what is more and what is less.
I understand. In your opinion, how does one get closer to the Holy One, blessed be He? Through Torah study? Or something else?