Mussar sobre Jeremias 5:3

Impudence, or shamelessness, is a most inferior trait in all of its manifestations. It is the opposite of modesty, for the one who is humble and has a sense of shame is generous, compassionate, forgiving and pardoning. But he who is impudent does not feel shame before any man, but stands rudely before all men, does every evil thing, without shame, but on the contrary, clings obstinately to his evil and grows harder in his transgressions. Concerning this type of person it is said: "They have made their faces harder than a rock! They have refused to repent" (Jer. 5:3). And it is said: "And the children are brazen-faced and hard-hearted" (Ezek. 2:4).

WE had much to say on the praiseworthiness of the quality of prudency, but the quantity of blame which we shall mete out to the quality of impudence is small. He who is possessed of the quality of shamelessness is culpable in the eyes of God, as are those of whom it is said (Jer. v. 3), "They have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return." The Saint says with reference to the impudent (Prov. xi. 2), "When pride cometh, then cometh shame," which means that when impudence prevails over the qualities of man, he is scorned by men and not respected. He is not taken seriously, nor is he regarded with that consideration for his wisdom, even though he be learned, which is paid to the prudent. Thus it is written (ib.) "But with the lowly is wisdom." If one is wise and desires to pursue the goodly course which is acceptable unto God, let him abandon this quality, refrain from exercising it, and keep it afar from the character of his soul. Of him who is impudent the prince saith (id. xxi. 24), "Proud and haughty scorner is his name," by which he means that God will requite according to his doing, whosoever is impudent, as it is written (ib.), "Who dealeth in proud wrath." It is possible also that "Who dealeth in proud wrath" refers to such an impudent one as, by reason of the qualitv of impudence, provokes the displeasure and annoyance of others, and so forth.

My children, know that the trait of brazenness is a quality greatly despised in the eyes of the Omnipresent, because it is like a branch of idolatry. Not only that, but because of brazen people the heavens are restrained from sending dew and rain, as it is said: “Therefore the showers have been withheld, and the latter rain has not come; yet you had the forehead of a harlot, you refused to be ashamed.” (Yirmiahu 3:3). Our Sages also said that Jerusalem was destroyed only because they had no sense of shame toward one another, as it is said: “Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not ashamed at all, nor did they know how to blush.” (Yirmiahu 6:15). This disgraceful trait is not found among the pious and people of good deeds, but rather among the wicked, as it is said about them: “They have made their faces harder than rock.” (Yirmiahu 5:3). Our Sages further said that anyone who possesses brazenness may be called a wicked person to his face, as it is said: “A wicked man hardens his face.” (Mishlei 21:29). Anyone who has brazenness will in the end fall and be broken. And it was taught in the school of Elijah that the intimidating, the arrogant boasters, the brazen-faced, and the strong-armed, about them the verse says: “For the arms of the wicked shall be broken.”