A Chosid once shared with his Rebbe a concern he had about his father-in-law.
"Rebbe," the Chossid began, "I am sure it's not Lashon Hara, because I am concerned for his welfare..." He went on to tell his Rebbe that his father-in-law does not Daven. Anything.
"I even know where he keeps his Tallis, and kept a close watch and saw that it sits there for days on end... Rebbe, I'm begging you, please speak with him. Try to inspire him... I mean this for his benefit!"
"Rebbe," the Chossid began, "I am sure it's not Lashon Hara, because I am concerned for his welfare..." He went on to tell his Rebbe that his father-in-law does not Daven. Anything.
"I even know where he keeps his Tallis, and kept a close watch and saw that it sits there for days on end... Rebbe, I'm begging you, please speak with him. Try to inspire him... I mean this for his benefit!"
After a few requests, the Rebbe called in the father-in-law to discuss the matter.
The father-in-law was straightforward. "Rebbe, I may not be a Tzaddik, but one thing I do not do: Lie. I just cannot lie, and for me to stand there every day, wrapped in my Tallis and Tefillin, and make believe that I am connecting with Hashem... when I am really thinking about everything in the world other than Him... I just cannot do it!
"Believe me, Rebbe," he continued, "I have tried to push myself, but it's impossible. I am not really Davening. I'm just standing there, lying to the Aibershter... and to everyone around me!"
The Rebbe listened to the distraught Chossid. A true dilemma! He really was unable to "put on a show" day in day out...
The Rebbe said, "I understand your dilemma. And it is truly admirable that your Midas Ho'emes is so strong..."
The Rebbe then explained to the Chossid that there is a Heichal in Shomayim where all "empty" Tefillos are gathered. Any Tefilla that is not accompanied with true devotion or intention is collected there, and waits there...
The Rebbe then explained to the Chossid that there is a Heichal in Shomayim where all "empty" Tefillos are gathered. Any Tefilla that is not accompanied with true devotion or intention is collected there, and waits there...
"And then," the Rebbe concluded, "a single Tefilla comes along; a Tefilla Davened with Kavanna and true emotion, and it elevates all the "empty" Tefillos along with it. So, don't stop Davening! Keep sending your Tefilos to Hashem, for a day will come - hopefully very soon - when your Neshama will shine forth, and a single, heart-felt Tefilla will elevate all previous ones..."
What an empowering message!
We can surely think of the countless times the Yetzer Hara tries to convince us that our efforts are useless, and that our Avoda is meaningless...
But we must not stop.
We must continue doing - even an "empty" Avoda - because we know that even an empty Avoda is collected and cherished by Hashem, waiting only to be elevated at some future point.
And when we stay committed, unfazed by the seeming lack of results or inspiration, we strengthen our resolve, weaken our Yetzer Hara, and keep ourselves open to the light of Torah and Mitzvos which will, at some point, shine through and inspire us to a truly connected relationship with Hashem.
We must continue doing - even an "empty" Avoda - because we know that even an empty Avoda is collected and cherished by Hashem, waiting only to be elevated at some future point.
And when we stay committed, unfazed by the seeming lack of results or inspiration, we strengthen our resolve, weaken our Yetzer Hara, and keep ourselves open to the light of Torah and Mitzvos which will, at some point, shine through and inspire us to a truly connected relationship with Hashem.
Let us not be discouraged by the Zeros. All we need is a single One to make them all add up!
Keep doing. Hashem is counting.
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