“Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” The Baal Shem Tov commented: Every physical object whose use is permissible possesses good and evil elements. The material element is evil, and the G-dly life-force that gives life to the physical is good. The person utilizing the physical object must “turn from evil” – not desire the physical pleasure which is in its materiality, and “do good,” i.e. he should desire to be nourished and supported by the G-dly vitality in that object. “Seek peace and pursue it”: Whoever fulfills “turn from evil and do good” must seek and pursue means for making peace between the physical and the G-dly life-force that vitalizes it.
By zevi770 · August 9, 2016