B"H

Friday Tammuz 20, 5777 / July 14, 2017

In the first chapter of Pirkei Avot, which we recite this Shabbat, the Talmudic sage Antignos says, "Do not be like servants who serve their master for the sake of receiving a reward, but rather be like servants who serve their master without the intent of receiving a reward."

One of the fundamental principles of Jewish faith is that G-d rewardsus for the mitzvot we do.  In the daily Shema, we read, "...If you will diligently obey My commandments... I will give rain for your land at the proper time... you will gather in your grain, your wine and your oil.. you will eat and be sated..."

Antignos teaches us that, although the Torah promises reward for performing the mitzvot, yet, the reward should not be the motivating factor. Rather, we should follow the mitzvot without any ulterior motive only in order to fulfill G-d's will. However, the true reward for the mitzvot is reserved for the World-to-Come.

Later In Pirkei Avot, Rabbi Yaakov tells us, "This world is like a lobby before the World-to-Come; prepare yourself in the lobby(this world) so that you may enter the banquet hall (World-to-Come)." 

The Talmudic sage Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai illustrates the importance of constantly preparing ourselves in this world with acts of goodness and kindness with the following parable: 

A king invited all his servants to a royal banquet, but didn't tell them the time when it would take place.  Everyone was anxious to attend the banquet. 

Not knowing exactly when the king would open the hall, the wise servants said, "The king has everything he needs at his command, therefore, he can call the banquet at any moment."  So they immediately went home, washed, got dressed and returned, ready to enter as soon as the king called them in.

The foolish servants, on the other hand, said, "A banquet takes a lot of preparation.  Surely, we still have time until the banquet begins."  They didn't prepare themselves. Suddenly, the king opened the chamber doors and invited everyone in. 

The wise ones entered dressed for the occasion, while the foolish ones came in their "street clothes."   Naturally, the wise servants were welcomed by the king and invited to partake in the meal, while the foolish ones were not even allowed near the dinner table.

With this parable Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai reminds us that we must constantlyprepare ourselves here, in this world, by performing as many mitzvot as possible.

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 8:22 / Shabbat ends: 9:35