Thursday, Mar-Cheshvan 6, 5778 / October 26, 2017
G-d did not create everyone with the same talents and abilities. Thus, it would not be fair to expect of each of us the same accomplishments. What is equally expected of us all is to make the effort to perform to the best of our ability. In effort we can all accomplish equally.
Although we have to observe the mitzvot and study the Torah, yet, it is not only how many mitzvot or how much one studied that counts. What’s more important is the effort one puts into it and how hard one has to work to overcome the obstacles in order to fulfill G-d’s commandments.
A Chassid once came to the Tzemach Tzedek (third Rebbe of Lubavitch), and complained, “Rebbe, I know I have the mitzvah of studying Torah, but what should I do that I have no desire to study Torah?”
The Rebbe looked at him and said, “What should I do that I do have a desire to study Torah?”
The message the Rebbe conveyed to this person is that his lack of yearning to study Torah can be turned into an advantage. For when he studies Torah it comes with greater effort and effort counts!
The name of this week’s Parsha is, Lech Lecha. G-d tells Abraham, Lech Lecha, “Go for you from your land, from your birth place and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you.”
Torah commentaries ask why the Torah uses the words "Lech Lecha," which literally means "go for you" when only the word "Lech" ("go") would have sufficed.
They explain that G-d is telling Abraham that although My commandment to leave your birthplace and your father’s house may seem difficult at this time, it is in fact, "for your benefit and pleasure." Whatever G-d does and whatever He wants us to do is in truth for our benefit. If we accept it as such, it is also for our pleasure, whether we see it at the time or not.
A wise person once said, “The things in which people generally find pleasure in life are not necessarily for the person's benefit. But, the pleasure one derives by performing G-d's commandments are indeed for their benefit!”
Another explanation for "Lech Lecha" - "Go to you" is to teach us that G-d expects of us to excel and achieve according to one’s ability. One must not become discouraged by the fact that others have the ability to accomplish more. G-d expects us to accomplish only according to one’s ability.
The noted Chassidic Reb Zusia of Anipoli would say, "After I pass on and come before the Heavenly Court, I'm not worried that they will ask me why I wasn't as righteous as Abraham or Moshe. For I am not Abraham nor Moshe and G-d doesn't expect me to be like them. But I am worried if they will ask me, 'Zusia, why didn't you achieve and accomplish to the best of Zusia’s ability?’”
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY