BS’D
How do we awaken enthusiasm in our avodat Hashem? It is common to be drawn down by routine. How do we remain inspired? Connected? Chazal offers some practical insights.
Though our hearts may not be fully enthused to do a mitzvah, as the Nike commercial goes, ‘Just do it!!’ We learn this trait from Avraham Avinu ztk’l when he rose early in the morning to perform Hashem’s command. When the opportunity rises to be involved in performing a mitzvah, see it as an invitation from Hashem, a one-time call just for you! Just do it!
Beware of the negative trait of laziness. Rav Luzzatto ztk’l in his famous book ‘Path of the Just’ teaches that mankind is controlled by the force of gravity, pulling him down into a state of heaviness. It is ‘natural’ to feel ‘heavy’ and ‘weighed down’; it is beyond our control. However we aren’t to surrender to our natural tendencies but to battle and refine them.
The voice of the evil inclination shouts “What! Again you’re doing a mitzvah?!” He attempts to rob the zest and joy out of our good deeds. He continues to invade our mind by telling us, “You’re tired, why bother? It makes no difference.” Remain oblivious to this scheming tactic of the yetzer hara. Pull yourself up and get moving.
Lastly, Chazal teach we are allotted a quota of energy in our lives. When we over-extend our strength towards the pursuit of comforts and worldly pleasures, we deplete ourselves from the vitality needed to invest in our spiritual pursuits. Let’s use our energy wisely
