The Hidden Mitzvah

The Chofetz Chaim once traveled with a Talmid in a taxi cab. After paying the driver, the Chofetz Chaim pointed out to the Talmid that he just did a Mitzah.

“What Mitzvah?” the Talmid asked, “He provided a service, so I had to pay him!”

The Chofetz Chaim explained:
You just fulfilled the Mitzvah of ביומו תתן שכרו, to pay a day-laborer on the day he did the work for you.

Rabbi Chananya Ben Akashia said:
רצה הקב"ה לזכות את ישראל לפיכך הרבה להם תורה ומצוות
Hashem wanted to give us opportunities to be meritorious (or, to refine us), therefore He gave us many Mitzvos. (Makos 23b)

The Fool's Vacation

Regardless of the importance of what we do, we cannot ignore our need to eat, drink, sleep… even breathe.  Hashem created us with certain physical limitations, and in order to focus on our Tafkid we must take the time, however short or long, to tend to these “limitations”.

It follows, that “taking a break” or vacationing, is not something that a Yid chooses to do, per se. A Yid takes breaks so that he can continue his work afterwards with refreshed energy and focus.

Taking a break, while ignoring our true “needs”, can actually have the opposite effect on the very health we sought to improve...

Thriving vs. Surviving

It was the summer of 5626-1866. The Rebbe Rashab, who was a young boy at the time, had a debate with his older brother Zalman Ahron about the uniqueness of a Jew. Zalman Ahron argued that Yidden are special because they learn Torah, Daven, etc.

“But what about those who don’t?” asked the Rashab, “What is special about them?”

Zalman Ahron did not have what to answer, and the conversation came to the attention of the Rebbe Maharash.

The Rebbe asked the Rashab to call the servant Bentzion. The conversation, as retold by the Frierdiker Rebbe, went like this:

The Rebbe Maharash: “Bentzion, did you eat?”

Bentzion: “Yes.”

The Rebbe: “Did you eat well?”

Bentzion: “What does ‘well’ mean? I am satisfied, Boruch Hashem.”

Educating the Extraordinary

On the way to “bless” the Benei Yisroel, Bilam’s donkey saw Hashem’s angel with a drawn sword in its hand. Fearing for its life and the life of its master, the donkey tried to prevent Bilam from proceeding with his journey. At first the donkey strayed from the path, then, when passing through a narrow passage, the donkey leaned into the wall, crushing Bilam’s foot. Finally, the donkey sat down on the road and refused to continue traveling.

Not having seen the angel himself, Bilam thought that the donkey was being disobedient. He reacted the way any master would when addressing a disobedient animal; he hit the donkey each of the three times it deviated from what he wanted it to do.

In the end, Hashem opened Bilam’s eyes, and he saw the angel who then criticized Bilam, “Why did you hit your donkey three times…?”