A good way to live TB Shabbat 23

Today’s daf TB Shabbat 23 shows us a good way to live our lives. The Gemara suggests that we should live above suspicion.

 “Rav Huna said: A courtyard that has two entrances requires two lamps, one lamp at each entrance, so that it will be obvious that the residents of this courtyard light properly. And Rava said: We only said this in a case where the two entrances face two different directions. However, if they both face in the same direction one need not light at more than one entrance. The Gemara clarifies Rava’s statement: What is the reason for this? If you say that it is because those who see the entrance without a lamp burning will harbor suspicion lest he does not kindle the Hanukkah light, whose suspicion concerns us? If you say that the concern is with regard to the suspicion of people who do not live in the city and are unfamiliar with the courtyard’s tenants, even when both entrances face the same direction let them be required to light at both entrances because visitors are unaware that there are two entrances to that courtyard. And if the concern is with regard to the suspicion of the residents of that city, even when the two entrances face two different directions let them not be required to light at both entrances. The local residents know that only one person lives in the courtyard and will assume that if he did not light at one entrance he surely lit at the other. The Gemara answers: Actually, say that it is because of the suspicion of the residents of that city, and sometimes they pass this entrance and do not pass that one, and they say: Just as he did not light in this entrance, in that second entrance he also did not light. In order to avoid suspicion, it is preferable to light at both entrances. “Rav Huna said: A courtyard that has two entrances requires two lamps, one lamp at each entrance, so that it will be obvious that the residents of this courtyard light properly. And Rava said: We only said this in a case where the two entrances face two different directions. However, if they both face in the same direction one need not light at more than one entrance. The Gemara clarifies Rava’s statement: What is the reason for this? If you say that it is because those who see the entrance without a lamp burning will harbor suspicion lest he does not kindle the Hanukkah light, whose suspicion concerns us? If you say that the concern is with regard to the suspicion of people who do not live in the city and are unfamiliar with the courtyard’s tenants, even when both entrances face the same direction let them be required to light at both entrances because visitors are unaware that there are two entrances to that courtyard. And if the concern is with regard to the suspicion of the residents of that city, even when the two entrances face two different directions let them not be required to light at both entrances. The local residents know that only one person lives in the courtyard and will assume that if he did not light at one entrance he surely lit at the other. The Gemara answers: Actually, say that it is because of the suspicion of the residents of that city, and sometimes they pass this entrance and do not pass that one, and they say: Just as he did not light in this entrance, in that second entrance he also did not light. In order to avoid suspicion, it is preferable to light at both entrances.” (Sefaria.org translation)

When the news of Catholic Church’s scandal of protecting priests who abused children broke in Boston, I was a rabbi in Framingham, Massachusetts. Our regional United Synagogue office held a half-day seminar for rabbis, cantors, and youth directors on what are our responsibilities. Our first responsibility is to protect the children under our supervision. We are mandated reporters if we suspect child abuse. Our second responsibility is to protect ourselves from all suspicion. From that time on I instructed all my b’nai mitzvah tutors never to teach their students in a secluded spot. Whenever I tutor I make sure that the door of the room I am in is always open and anybody who pass by in the hallway can look in and see how I am teaching. I also always invite parents to stay throughout the session or to come in and out as they please for I have nothing to hide. Ben Franklin taught: “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” Even though I have nothing to fear, I always want to live above suspicion in order to keep my good reputation.