הלכה על אבות 1:7

Rav Gestetner stresses the importance of living in a neighborhood of observant Jews, citing the Mishnah (Avot 1:7), which states, “Distance yourself from a bad neighbor,” and the Gemara (Ketubot 72a), which states, “One cannot live together with a snake.” He also cites the Rambam (Hilchot Dei’ot 6:1), who writes at some length about how one is impacted by his neighbors and community, so one should be sure to surround himself with positive role models. Accordingly, Rav Gestetner concludes, a neighborhood of observant Jews is an entirely different product than a neighborhood that includes those who do not uphold the Torah.