Quality Labor Produces Quality Fruit
While in Paris a few days before the Sukkot festival, I noticed a Jew who looked quite satisfied with his beautiful etrog. I heard him telling himself, “This etrog is special.” Great joy filled my heart as I thought, “Who is like Your nation, Israel, who beautify the mitzvot, investing tremendous sums to serve You to the utmost.”
But my joy was short-lived. The man continued his soliloquy, “This etrog is worthy of preparing fine jelly as soon as the holiday passes.”
I felt like a deflated balloon. I was filled with sadness. The Yetzer Hara managed to steal away the primary aspect of the mitzvah. When this man will make a blessing on his etrog on Sukkot, all of his thoughts will focus on the etrog jelly which he will prepare after the holiday. Since the mitzvah was not begun with proper intentions, it is of much lesser value that a mitzvah done l’shem Shamayim.
I was saddened to hear this Jew’s attitude toward the mitzvah of the Four Species. Although he obtained the finest etrog, he did not do the mitzvah in the finest way. What a shame.
