Parashat Lech Lecha: Even The Greatest Person Must Beware Of A Bad Companion!

“Go forth from your land” (Bereishit 12:1).

When Hashem commanded Avraham Avinu to leave his homeland and his father’s household, the instruction carried a deeper meaning than simply moving to another place.

Rabbeinu Bachya explains that the words lech lecha, meaning “go forth,” allude to lichluch, or dirt. Avraham was being told to leave his surroundings so that he would not become spiritually soiled by the ways of the people among whom he lived.

Rav Shimshon Pincus raises a fascinating question: Was there really any danger that Avraham Avinu would be influenced by the people around him?

After all, Avraham’s greatness lay precisely in his ability to stand alone. Without a teacher, parent, or friend to guide him toward the truth, he rejected the idolatry practiced by his father’s household and the society around him. Rather than adopting their beliefs, he devoted himself to spreading faith in Hashem.

This is what Chazal meant when they explained why Avraham was called HaIvri. The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 42:8) teaches that the entire world stood on one side, while Avraham stood on the other.

If Avraham could withstand the influence of an entire world, why would he need to leave his surroundings to protect himself from their ways?

Rav Pincus explains that the answer lies in Rabbeinu Bachya’s comparison to dirt.

A person does not have to deliberately touch something dirty to become soiled. Dust and dirt can settle on his clothing simply because he is present in a particular environment. He may not even notice it happening.

The influence of one’s surroundings works in much the same way. A person may have no intention of adopting the attitudes or behavior of those around him. He may even make a conscious effort to remain different. Nevertheless, their influence can gradually take hold without his realizing it.

This is not merely a concern for someone who is spiritually weak. It is part of human nature.

The Rambam writes in Hilchot De’ot (6:1):

“It is a person’s innate nature to be influenced in his views by his companions and friends, and to follow the customs of the people of his country. Therefore, a person must associate with the righteous so that he may learn from their deeds, and distance himself from the wicked who walk in darkness so that he will not learn from their deeds.”

The Rambam supports this teaching with the words of Shlomo HaMelech: “He who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will come to harm.”

Rav Pincus draws attention to the Rambam’s choice of words: “a person’s innate nature.” The Rambam is not describing an occasional weakness or a tendency that affects only certain individuals. Hashem created human beings with the natural inclination to absorb the attitudes and habits of those around them.

Consider someone who is exposed to a contagious illness. Even a person in excellent health understands the need to take precautions. He does not assume that because he is strong, he is somehow immune.

The same principle applies to spiritual influences. A person may be exceptionally committed to Torah and mitzvot, yet still be affected by the environment in which he spends his time.

We can now appreciate why Hashem gave this command specifically to Avraham Avinu.

There was no one more capable of standing against the influence of his surroundings. As the pasuk states, “Avraham was one” (Yechezkel 33:24). He remained faithful to Hashem despite living among people whose beliefs were entirely different from his own.

Yet even Avraham was commanded to leave.

If someone of Avraham’s stature was instructed to distance himself from a spiritually harmful environment, how much more careful must we be about the places we frequent and the company we keep?

Rav Pincus brings another example, this time involving Yishai, the father of David HaMelech.

Yishai’s sons were righteous men and accomplished Torah scholars. Nevertheless, when they were serving in the military camp, Yishai sent David to check on their welfare. Among his instructions was the phrase, “And take their pledge” (Shmuel I 17:18).

Targum Yonatan interprets these words as an instruction to learn how they were faring. The Meiri, in his commentary on Mishlei (12:12), explains that Yishai wanted David to observe the people with whom his brothers regularly associated.

By learning who their companions were, Yishai could gain an understanding of how his sons were conducting themselves.

Even though his sons were great men, Yishai understood that their surroundings could influence them. Their choice of friends was therefore an important indication of their spiritual well-being.

This lesson is particularly relevant to our own lives.

We often think of choosing good friends as something that concerns children and teenagers. Parents carefully consider the company their children keep, knowing how strongly friendships can shape their behavior and outlook.

But the need for caution does not disappear when a person becomes an adult. Regardless of our age, accomplishments, or level of Torah observance, the people with whom we regularly associate continue to influence us.

There is also an important distinction to remember: A bad companion is not necessarily a bad person. Someone may have many admirable qualities, yet the relationship may still have a negative effect on our own spiritual growth.

The question is not simply whether the other person is good or bad. We must also consider what happens to us when we spend time together. Are we becoming more careful in our observance, more thoughtful in our speech, and more committed to Torah? Or are we gradually becoming comfortable with attitudes and behaviors we once would have avoided?

Such changes rarely happen overnight. Like dust settling on clothing, they can accumulate so gradually that we fail to notice them.

That is the lasting lesson of lech lecha. If even Avraham Avinu had to be mindful of the influence of his surroundings, none of us can afford to take that influence lightly.

The company we keep helps shape the people we become. We must therefore choose our surroundings wisely, seeking the companionship of those who encourage us to grow closer to Hashem.

Based on a teaching of Rav Shimshon Pincus, zt”l, as presented in Be’erah Shel Torah.

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Rabbi Leeor Dahan, a graduate of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim/RSA, is a noted scholar and teacher, well-versed in halachah. He currently leads Kehilat Avodat Hashem in Hillcrest, Queens, inspiring his congregation to delve into Torah study and embrace its eternal teachings.