"Can my desire to see improper images be re-channeled to strengthen me spiritually?"
"How wonderful it would be if we could channel the energy of our lesser personality traits to serve Hashem." (Ohr Yisrael, Letter Four)
Did you know that just as the eye is stimulated by negative images it is also stimulated by positive images? Our Sages tell us that if we focus on holy objects, simply viewing them will instill holiness within us and inspire us to perform the mitzvot better .
For instance, can there be anything more inspiring than viewing a beautiful sunrise, a colorful flower or the graceful flight of a bird? All of these sights reflect the majesty of the Creator.
Moreover, our Sages tell us that when we gaze upon holy objects, the light of our eyes brightens and increases. Listed below are some of the holy things we can view that have positive effects on us.
(1) When you look at the face of a tzaddik, your soul is illuminated with light and holiness. (Degel Machaneh Ephraim)
(2) Looking at the sefer Torah when it is raised before or after kriat haTorah - and reading a word or two from the scroll - imparts a great, holy light to us. (Magen Avraham, chapter 134)
(3) Viewing the shin on either side of the Tefillin shel Rosh imparts holiness.
(4) Looking at water is good for the eyes. (Ibn Ezra)
(5) Looking at the heavens imparts Yirat Shamayim. (The Vilna Gaon)
(6) When reciting the Kriat Shema in Shacharit, it is good to look at the tzitzit and touch them to the eyes when you say, u'reitem o'toh. (Shulchan Aruch 24:4)
(7) Whoever brings the tzitzit to his eyes when saying Parshat Tzitzit will never lose his sight. (Be'er Hetev)
(8) Looking at the tzitzit inspires one to perform mitzvot and stops him from randomly following his eyes. We should look at our tzitzit a few times a day. This is especially important and beneficial if an impure thought enters your heart. (Shmirat HaLashon - [Chafetz Chaim] 2:30)
(9) Before saying Kiddush on Shabbat night, look at the candles. While saying Kiddush, look into the wine cup. (Shulchan Aruch 271:10)
(10) Whenever leaving the house, look at the mezuzah and kiss it. (Ma'aseh Rav HaChadash)
(11) It is a mitzvah to watch other people who are performing a mitzvah, just as it was a mitzvah to watch the Kohen Gadol perform his Avodah on Yom Kippur. (Nefesh Kol Chai Phelagi)
(12) If you look at a synagogue or a Beit Midrash you will be spiritually elevated - how much more so if you enter the building. You will be even more elevated if you stand in front of the Ark and look at the holy Torah. (Rosh HaGivah)
(13) Looking at the four-letter name of G-d - YHVH - and visualizing it is a great spiritual influence and enhances Yirat Shamayim.
(14) Study of the holy Torah imparts holiness, light, and joy to your soul.
Today: Take the opportunity to look at holy sights and know that your soul is uplifted by them.
A few nights ago, Dave pointed out something important to me. He noticed that as we continued to explore methodologies to safeguard Shmirat Einayim, I began to go overboard in my attitude - I began to think that it's impossible to look at anything!
"Steve, your eyes are not your enemy!" he said.
"Did I say they are?"
"In so many words, yes. You don't have to be afraid of using your sight. Think of your eyes as a window to inspiring, illuminating sights. Use them to your advantage."
"Like a tourist trying to take in all the beauty of a foreign country."
"Yeah, sort of."
So I began to think of how to do "spiritual sightseeing." The first thing I started doing was to let my eyes consciously rest on my tefillin before I put them on each day. I made it a point to look inside the Torah as it was being held up during services in the synagogue. When I pass the Beit Midrash on my way to the train in the morning, I peek inside and catch a glimpse of people learning Torah. On my way home after work, I watch the sun set.
These are small things and each only takes a few seconds. Yet I found that I'm uplifted by them. Maybe it's the increasing awareness of the spirituality around me, I don't know. All I know is that I feel more connected to G-d and the intrinsic holiness at my fingertips - and there is nothing quite like it.
These e-mails are excerpts taken from the book "Windows of the Soul" by Rabbi Zvi Miller of the Salant Foundation.