The third reason people neglect Torah learning is because they see others doing the same. This reason is truly illogical, for if they would see someone eating bread without saying a blessing before and after, would they think that they should do so as well? Surely he would say to himself, let them do what they like and I will do what I should, when the bill is served they will realize the price of their actions. So should one think when seeing others sitting idle and wasting their time, for Hashem’s commandments are not lessened by people’s disrespect.

A person should ask himself, if I was walking with a group of friends in a field of diamonds, would I refrain from stooping down and picking them up just because my friends didn’t? Only a fool would lose a fortune because others failed to do so. Since every Jew knows the verse ‘[the Torah] is more precious than pearls, and all your possessions cannot compare to it’, how could he forego such a treasure just because his friends act so callously?