וכפר אל הקודש…השוכן אתם בתוך טמאתם (אחרי טז:טז)

The holy Ohav Yisroel of Apta zt’’l traveled to a certain city where he was offered two different lodgings; one was a relative, but both had faults.  The first host was a sinner, and the second, his relative, was a יראי שמים – feared G-d, but was a great בעל גאוה – an arrogant person.

The Ohav Yisroel chose to stay by the sinner’s home over the ירא שמים’s home.  When he saw everyone’s astonishment, the Ohav Yisroel explained his decision: “The second host, even though he is a G-d fearing Yid, because of his arrogance, I cannot stay there.  As Hashem says about someone who holds highly of himself, ‘I cannot dwell with him in one place.’ (סוטה ה).

So if Hashem can’t, so can’t I. And by staying by someone who sins, the Torah says: השוכן אתם בתוך טמאתם – even when Yidden possess sin, Hashem dwells between them.” Concluded the Ohav Yisroel: “And therefore, I can stay at such a home.”