B"H
Thursday, Iyar 25, 5782 (40th day of the Omer)/ May 26, 2022
In the fifth chapter of Pirkei Avot, Rabbi Yehuda ben Teima gives us the following advice, “Be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a deer, and strong as a lion, to carry out the will of your Father in Heaven.” Rabbi Yehuda instructs us that when it comes to performing a mitzvah we should perform it with enthusiasm and without hesitation.
One of the great Torah scholars, Rabbi Yoel Sirkus (1560-1640), had a wealthy disciple, whom we shall call Moshe, who was very generous and supported his rabbi’s many charitable activities.
One day, a man from a nearby village, came to Rabbi Sirkus crying: “For many years I have been making a nice living from a tavern that I rent from the gentile landowner. Recently someone offered him much more rent and as a result my source of income for my family will be completely gone. Please help us.”
Rabbi Sirkus had great pity on the man. He said to him, “Go to my disciple, Moshe, I know that he has business dealings with the landowner and tell him, in my name, to speak to the landowner.”
Assured that help was on the way, he immediately made his way to Moshe. He told Moshe of his dire situation and that Rabbi Sirkus advised him to seek Moshe’s help to intervene with the landowner.
Moshe replied, “I’m sure I can take care of the matter. However, I don’t have the time right now, for I have to travel to the fair. When I return in a few days, I will take care of the matter.
“But who knows if by the time you return the tavern will not be rented to someone else?” he pleaded. But Moshe said that the matter would have to wait. The next few days were very stressful for the poor family. When Moshe returned a few days later, he took care of the matter, and everything worked out.
Many years went by, and Moshe passed away. One night, Moshe came to his rabbi in a dream and told him, “When I came up to the gates of heaven, they found me righteous and ordered me to be led to paradise. But when I came to the gates of paradise, an angel stood in my way and wouldn’t let me in. “Who are you? Why don’t you let me in?” I asked. He replied, “I am the angel who was created from the mitzvah which you performed by helping the person get his tavern back.”
“So why would you block my entry to paradise?” I asked. “Doesn't performing a mitzvah deserve reward?”
“True, for the mitzvah you deserve reward. However, the mitzvah was not fulfilled properly. Instead of speaking to the landowner immediately, you attended to your business first. As a result, the family suffered those few days, not knowing what their fate will be. For that, you too, will have to suffer and wait with your reward the same amount of time that you made them wait!”
Rabbi Sirkus then told this story to his congregation and reminded them to always be very careful to perform a mitzvah right away, especially when the matter concerns helping others.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY