A Labor of Love
On a trip to New York, I met the esteemed Rosh Yeshiva of a prominent Torah institution. “How does one grow in Avodat Hashem?” he inquired.
For a moment, I was speechless. “Does the Rosh Yeshiva really mean to ask me this?”
“Definitely,” he replied with tranquility. Then he added, “True, I spend all my days immersed in Torah study. I can quote page upon page of Gemara by heart. When I lecture to my students, I cite various sayings of the Sages and words of mussar. But to my dismay, I personally do not feel any spiritual elevation.”
Just as a person who lacks a sense of taste demonstrates a physical problem, so, too, one who remains unaffected by divrei Torah demonstrates that he lacks spiritual taste buds. He must nip this problem in the bud. One who does not digest his food properly must seek immediate medical attention. A Jew who is not affected in a positive way when studying Torah must find a cure for this malady.
Thus I responded, “Just as Bnei Yisrael needed time to prepare for Matan Torah, so must every person prepare himself appropriately before undertaking Torah study. This preparation is called a burden, for it does not come easily. Only afterward, can one hope to feel spiritually elevated.”
I thought for a moment and then continued, “When you make blessings prior to eating, do you think of the meaning of your words? Do you consider before Whom you are standing, with Whom you speak, and Whom you are thanking for the satisfying food? It is not a simple matter to invest thought and contemplation into each and every berachah we make, but this is the definition of work. If you follow this prescription, you are sure to see the cure to your spiritual ills.”
When we make blessings, we say, “Blessed are You.” Isn’t the word You inappropriate for One as lofty as Hashem? But Hashem, in spite, or maybe because of, His greatness, wants us to feel close to Him. For this reason, He allows us to speak to Him in this familiar way, like a son speaking to his father.
But when a person prays without proper intention, he fails to consider the tremendous privilege he has in coming closer to Hashem, the King of the world. For this, he will be held accountable in the Heavenly Tribunal. Hashem will demand of him, “How did you dare to address me with the familiar You? You never attempted to recognize Me like a Father.”
In order to feel closeness to Hashem, one must invest effort. He must constantly feel the Heavenly yoke upon his shoulders. Regarding Hashem as the lofty King which He is, brings one to greater levels in spirituality.
