Beyond Orthodox Conversion to Judaism

The next of the 48 ways to acquire Torah is setting a limit to one's words. This means that one should be careful with how one acts or speaks because if one does not make boundaries for themselves, then it is easy to make mistakes and sin. Just like in the laws of Shabbos, there are many decrees that the rabbis made so that we will not come to transgress a Torah prohibition.

Within the Torah, we see it many times that we distance ourselves from things so that we won't come to transgress. We are careful with how we speak and what we say so that it won't lead to lashon hara. We are careful what we look at so that it doesn't lead us to other transgressions.

We make a fence around the Torah to protect ourselves from potential spiritual dangers even if according to the letter of the law it would be permissible. This is because it is very easy for a person to fall even if they don't have attention. Therefore, if a person knows where their weaknesses lie, they should take special precautions in those areas.

The Yetzer Hara is very strong and compelling and does not let up for a minute. We have to be vigilant in our observance of Torah and mitzvos to guard ourselves against those things that are permissible which could lead us to other transgressions.

This doesn't mean we can't handle the pressure or the Torah way of life is too difficult, G-d forbid. It just tells us that society in general has tremendous temptations that we have to guard ourselves against.