A Short Tribute

"Hillel says: Do not separate yourself from the community. Do not believe in yourself until the day of your death." This follows from what our sages, of blessed memory, said. A person should share in the fulfillment of commandments with the community: When praying, pray in community, for "Behold, God is mighty; He is not contemptuous" even if there are, Heaven forbid, sinners among them. This is not the case with the single person, who is observed and whose acts are scrutinized. Just as with our Master, Moses, "He has turned to the prayer of the destitute and has not spurned their prayer", meaning the individual is observed, "and not spurned their prayer" – the prayer of the community. This is also the case with Torah study in community. It has added value, as the Peleh Yo'etz, of blessed memory, wrote: It is best to study in community, to make the learning both a service and a tribute. This refers to the Psalms, rather than to difficult and technical matters (nega'im v'ohalot), and similarly to all mitzvoth that are enhanced when performed "in the multitude of people" and are "the king's glory".