Friends and neighbors have a strong influence. Therefore, the Sages instruct: “Distance yourself from a bad neighbor, and do not become friends with someone wicked” (Ethics of the Fathers 1:7). Often society has a subconscious influence on us. It sets norms and indirectly affects how we think and behave. Therefore, if we live in a community with good values – Torah and mitzvot, education and work, honesty and kindness, initiative and diligence – the odds of our living by these values increase.
This does not mean we may separate ourselves from broader society. All citizens must work together in the service of shared values, such as settling the Land [in Israel], education, health, army service, immigrant absorption, economic development, and helping the underprivileged. However, when an individual needs to choose where to live, it is proper to choose a community set up in accordance with the values of Jewish tradition. The more interest is expressed in joining such communities, the more they will proliferate. This in turn will elevate larger society. At the same time, idealists are doing a big mitzva when they volunteer to live in underprivileged neighborhoods and undertake to teach everyone, young and old, about civic virtue and Torah values.
