"The message of Hillel’s question And if I am for myself, what am I? goes further. If the average person were to make an accounting of how his regular day is spent, he would see that only a small part of his time is free for spiritual pursuits. How then can he allow these precious moments to slip by without using them to acquire for himself Torah and mitzvos, an eternal acquisition?
When a person works to provide his wife and children with their needs and pay for his children’s Torah education, his efforts bear great fruit. He will receive reward not only for his hours of Torah study, but for his efforts at earning a livelihood as well, for all his strivings were directed toward one essential purpose — fulfilling Hashem’s will.
Such is not the case, however, when one strives for a lifestyle of luxury, to live in an expensive home with lavish decor, and to dress his family in rich taste. In truth, such a person is not really toiling for himself, that is, for his soul’s benefit — for whose will is he seeking to fulfill, if not his evil inclination? What good will such striving accomplish for his soul? The same can be said of those who labor until their old age so that they can leave a generous inheritance behind for their loved ones. Such effort does not benefit the soul.
Hillel exhorts us to use our precious time on this world wisely, and not to let the hours slip by without accomplishment. Let no one delude himself with the notion that a bit of Torah study, and a mitzvah here and there, is sufficient."
Chofetz Chaim heritage foundation daily email
No comments:
Post a Comment