Keeping Our Tents Pure

The verse in our morning prayers that says, מה טובו אהליך יעקב, “How goodly are your tents, O’ Jacob,” was actually one of the blessings of Bilaam.

He was inspired by getting a panoramic view of the encampment of the Jewish people in the desert. He saw that there was real modesty. The people took great care to be certain that the entrance of one tent did not face another tent. They respected each other’s privacy.

In today’s world of openness and promiscuity, the standards of the observant, Torah Jew, stands out. It is ingrained in Jewish teachings, the importance of loyalty and trustworthiness between spouses.
Although there are instances where observant people do act improperly, it is definitely much less than in non-observant circles.

There is a book of Mussar, discipline, known as, Sefer Chassidim. There is a passage that discusses the dangers of wine. It recommends that one should not give a bottle of wine as a gift to a man, whose occupation involves having women clients or patients. Wine could be seen as the vehicle to create sin. Extra caution must be taken to be certain that this does not happen. We must keep our tents pure, and worthy of blessing.