I passed Larry's cubicle again today. Ever since he came to work in our office, he's been a problem. His computer screen often has improper images and they're visible to whoever happens to be passing by.
Before I was really conscious of Shmirat Einayim, I used to rationalize that it was none of my business. But it is my business. I really feel - no, I know - that he's polluting the spiritual atmosphere. He's making it hard for me to work with him. I even got up the nerve to talk to my boss about it. He just chuckled and said, "Boys will be boys."
So I'm on my own, and I need a strategy. I decided that from now on, I'll go out of my way not to go down that corridor. If I do have to pass him, I'll make it a point to look the other way. And I discovered that most of the time I can work with him using email or the phone. If we have to meet, I suggest that he come to my desk, or meet me in the conference room.
Dave and I learned Rabbi Salanter's terrific insight that passion tries to justify everything by actually drowning out reason. I think Larry is a perfect example of its power. Just knowing that this is a battle between my soul and my desires helps me keep my head on straight!
These e-mails are excerpts taken from the book "Windows of the Soul" by Rabbi Zvi Miller of the Salant Foundation.