Wrong Date, Right Lesson
I was once invited to speak at a large gathering in Paris. Arriving at the venue, I was most surprised to be met by an audience of three, as opposed to the organizers’ prediction that the place would be filled to capacity.
After some investigating, it was discovered that the posters announcing my speech mistakenly stated that it would take place the next day.
I was ready to go home without delivering the lecture I had prepared, and come back the next day, when I would have a sizeable audience. But Chazal’s words in Pirkei Avot (2:16) “You are not required to complete the task, yet you are not free to withdraw from it” rang through my ears, bringing me back to the place. I spoke for an hour and a half to an audience of three.
I felt that if one of the three was inspired by my words, my efforts were not in vain. I am sure Hashem will repay me for my pains, as the Mishnah (ibid.) continues, “Your Employer can be relied upon to pay you the wage for your labor.”
