Tinyana 18 · תנינא י״ח

It is very dangerous for a person to be renowned and a leader of people. This goes without saying in the case of one who is totally unfit and assumes a mantle which is not his. But even those who genuinely serve God and tower above their contemporaries are in grave danger when leading people.

It is most unlikely for an ordinary person, even one lacking in piety, to be guilty of murder, because he has no desire for it. And even if, God forbid, he does feel this desire—may the Merciful One protect us!— the opportunity does not present itself or he encounters many obstacles. And even if he does commit the crime, it is but rarely; most likely no more than once in his entire life.

But when a person leads others, or originates new insights in Torah—each time and at every moment there is a real danger that he will be guilty of theft, sexual misconduct and murder; may the Merciful One protect us!