The Torah gives each individual a clear-cut choice: Either fulfill the Torah's commandments and earn limitless blessings, or transgress and suffer the consequences, heaven forbid. Hashem gives a person free choice to do as he or she wishes; as a result, we can only blame ourselves for the outcome of our actions.
Oftentimes, we don't know the best choice, so we seek advice. Rebbe Nachman of Breslev warns (Likutei Etzot, "Advice", a), "Everybody has ideas about the way to live. But as far as the masses of people are concerned, their ideas are all bad and ruinous. And all the more so, be sure to ignore any guidance offered by wicked people. They are the enemies of truth and therefore one must stay away from them, for they are the source of everything corrupt and destructive. All they have to offer is the advice of the primordial serpent, which is the antithesis of the Holy Covenant. Anyone who follows it will be covered in filth. He will become alienated from truth, faith and prayer, and he will be unable to come to the Land of Israel. Have nothing to do with their ideas. Bind yourself to the true Tzaddikim and those who follow their ways. Their guidance is the 'seed of truth.' Through it you will be able to observe the Covenant in purity. You will attain goodness, truth, faith and prayer and be worthy of coming to the Land of Israel."
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