Our Pet Pastime
On a trip to Toronto, as I walked outside one morning on my way to the Beit Hakeneset, I noticed many people walking their dogs in the city streets. This taught me about the fundamental difference between the Jew and the gentile.
A Torah-observing Jew is escorted throughout the day by mitzvot. Even if he is not performing a mitzvah at any given time, but merely thinks about fulfilling a mitzvah when he will have the opportunity, he is rewarded for the virtuous thought. And even as he sleeps, if he was previously involved in divrei Torah, they are what fill his mind. As he lies under his blanket, he is enveloped in words of Torah and accrues reward on High.
In direct contrast, the gentile who walks his dog is escorted throughout the day with thoughts of his pet. The dog eats of his food, sleeps in his room, and keeps him company. His entire day revolves around the defilement of his unclean dog. The Satan, too, cleaves to the one who offers him “food.” The only way to shake him off is by performing a mitzvah.
How fortunate we are to be Jews whose lives revolve around Torah, mitzvot, and good deeds throughout the day. How lucky we are to have no part in the deeds of the gentiles, who are chained to their impure creatures all day long.
