Yesterday, we discussed the concept that one has arrogance is like an idol worshiper. The Bet Halevi says that's a problem, because the rule is God doesn't punish for thoughts, only for actions – with the exception being Avodah Zara. And we used the Bet Halevi’s explanation that arrogance is like idol worship, and therefore has the severity of being punished for the thought. There's another exception to this rule, that the Gemara in Kedushin 39B discusses- for something that is Na’aseh Lo K’Heter/something a person always does. Using our example from yesterday, that means, that if a person is on his way to an unkosher restaurant and he gets a flat tire, he doesn't get punished. Why not? Because he didn't end up going. He’s innocent until proven guilty. But what happens if this man has been going to an unkosher restaurant every Thursday night for the past 10 years? Now it's already Na’aseh lo K’Heter/It became permissible to him. He doesn't even flinch. It's normal for him. The reason he didn't go was because of the flat tire. He's on automatic pilot. He's going, and therefore in that case, even when he doesn’t end up going, he still gets punished. Rabbenu Yona talks about this in Shaare Teshuva, and explains that this is the severity of any type of sin that becomes like it's permissible. It’s a huge difference from a person that sins and groans afterwards, because the groan shows that it still bothers him. People might think, “Os he groaned- big deal. ” But no- that groan is huge. It's a huge, huge difference. One of the great Baalei Musar, Rav Itzele Blazer wrote that when a person sins, in Shamayim they write down whether he sinned with a groan or without a groan. It's a huge difference. Now, back to our story- Says the Panim Yafot in Devarim 8,14, When a person is arrogant, that's the kind of sin that becomes Na’aseh Lo K’Heter. It's like it’s permissible to him. He doesn't think there is anything wrong with it. He thinks, “ I take credit from my deeds. What's wrong with saying I'm a great salesman? What's wrong with saying I'm a great basketball player? What's wrong with saying I did great on my regents? What's wrong with all that? I’m just taking credit where credit's due.” That's a huge mistake. You're not allowed to do that. Arrogance is a sin- That's a shocker for most people. “ Arrogance is a sin?! I understand it might not be nice to show off, but in my head I tell myself, wow, You did a beautiful job! That was a great party I planned. That was a beautiful cake that I made, that was the most magnificent X, Y, and Z.” “ Yeah, I did, did a pretty good job.” That's called arrogance. That's called taking credit for something. Of course, you do your hishtadlut, and we'll reward you for that. But if God didn't want it to happen, it wouldn't happen. When thoughts of arrogance are, in our minds, permissible, that takes it to a whole different level. That's why just reading these lessons is helpful. You start to think to yourself, “ Hey, I didn't realize that there was something wrong with being arrogant. I'm far, far from being perfect. But at least I realize it's a problem.” That's a huge, huge accomplishment. That's why the Chafetz Chaim wrote his sefer on Lashon Hara. Because even if you don't stop talking Lashon Hara, at least you know that it's not okay. That’s an important point in learning about any topic. It's not okay. Arrogance is not okay. Arrogance is the antithesis of Emuna and bitachon. It's not okay. That realization, in itself, is an accomplishment. Have a wonderful day.