The Torah’s big on personal responsibility. If a person owns an animal, and
that animal does damage to a person or property, the animal’s owner may very
well be responsible for those damages (depending on the case’s variables).Let’s use an ox as an example (since the Torah does):
An ox’s owner needs to have reasonable expectations for his ox’s behavior and act accordingly. So, for example, if an ox doesn’t normally gore innocent bystanders, then an owner wouldn’t need to prepare for that eventuality. If the ox *does* start goring innocents, the owner will eventually (at a Halachically-defined threshold) need to recognize his ox’s
new norm, recalibrate his expectations, and take the ecessary precautions to deal with his new reality.
Patterns are difficult to break, but not impossible. The ox’s behavior can theoretically change, and it can potentially revert to its peaceful norm. If - for example - the ox remains docile while children are playing with it, it can be considered to have shed its violent behavioral pattern.
Here’s an interesting twist found in Jewish Law. What happens if a goring ox is sold to another party? Jewish Law says that the animal’s new setting can have a positive effect on its negative behavioral cycle; upon transfer of ownership, its goring status is re-evaluated and reset.
The message: Environment counts. It’s not only about personal character.
Now let’s bring this home to our human lives and struggles.
In our personalities, we each have an ‘ox’ dimension. It shouldn’t be difficult to recognize; it’s the impulsive, self-gratifying tendency that pulls us toward behaviors that are against our better judgment and best interests. It’s the gravitational pull that keeps us in counter-productive
cycles.
Our oxen need re-training; they – we – need to ‘un-learn’ negative behavioral patterns.
It’s not an easy process.
So here’s something to consider when you’re wrestling with your ox: Give yourself over to new ownership. Take yourself, and your ‘ox’, to a new, holier place.
Upgrade your environment. Re-examine your social circle and pastimes. Spend more time in high-minded places, doing good things. Try a Torah class or prayer services. External change can lead to internal change.
So take your ‘ox’ to a different place; it may open a whole new world.