Motivation, Motivation, Motivation

“When a man from [among] you brings a sacrifice to Hashem”. (Vayikra 1:2)   
 

Yes, You Can! 

Throughout the years, when some Jews would meet with me, I would ask them to promise to fulfill a certain mitzvah that required some extra effort or monetary costs. At times, some people would answer me: “I cannot do it”. 
 

The retort to a Jew who claims that they are unable to fulfill any specific mitzvah is “Of course, you can! You just don’t want to. You don’t lack the ability, just the motivation.” 
 

We see evidence of this dynamic when someone is ill. They will follow the directives and advice of the medical specialists precisely. They won’t deviate even though those treatments might be difficult and painful. Yet, they make every effort to push through and remain committed to the treatments to save their lives. Clearly, a person, when motivated, can find within themselves the inner strength to do more than they possibly could have imagined. 
 

Within every Jew is the ability and strength to fulfill the mitzvot. However, they need motivation. They need to call upon their will by recognizing that their lives are sustained by the mitzvot and through those mitzvot they can connect to the source and root of all life. When a Jew realizes the immense benefits contained within the mitzvot, they arouse an incredibly powerful will to properly do as many of the mitzvot as possible. 

Breaking the Shell

If you want to inspire other Jews to become closer to Torah and mitzvot, you cannot convince them through reproach and harsh language. You cannot reprimand their behavior and hope that it will change them. They will simply believe that such a demanding, rigorous, and righteous lifestyle is beyond their abilities. Rather, you must inspire them, you need to awaken a deep desire within themselves to change and strive for a life of Torah and mitzvot. 
 

Within the heart of every single Jew there is a will and desire to be closer to Hashem, to study Torah, and to perform mitzvot. AS Chazal taught (Eruvin 19a) that the heart of every sinner is filled with mitzvot like a pomegranate. Hidden within the heart of every Jew is a desire to fulfill the mitzvot. However, they need to break the hard shells that conceal that desire, just like you need to break the shell of a pomegranate to discover the delicious seeds concealed within. 
 

When a person awakens this drive and desire to fulfill Hashem’s Will, he will subsequently be able to reject the Yetzer Harah’s excuses and his efforts to convince you that you are not able to perform the mitzvot. 

The Importance of Desire

There is a story that can help us understand this concept more clearly: 
 

HaGaon R’ Shaya Ber of Brisk, zt”l, the author of the Beis HaLevi, became deathly ill towards the end of his life. The doctors determined that he needed an operation that could potentially save his life. However, it was a risky procedure, and the outcomes were uncertain. There was even a chance that it might endanger his life further. 
 

The Beis HaLevi presented the dilemma to his son, HaRav Chaim of Brisk, zt”l, to help determine what to do. R’ Chaim thoughtfully considered the two options and he debated what was the appropriate decision based on Jewish law. Can a person do nothing or are they obligated to do everything within their power to save their life? In the end, he decided that the surgery should be done. 
 

When the surgery was completed, the Beis HaLevi woke up. However, after a few weeks, he passed away. 
 

Needless to say, R’ Chaim was stricken with immense grief. He blamed his father’s untimely departure on his advice and recommendation. No one was able to console him. 
 

However, there was one clever man who used a different approach. He immediately began challenging R’ Chaim’s Halachic decision; one that deprived the Jewish people of one of its greatest leaders. 
 

Immediately, R’ Chaim began explaining the basis for his ruling from all angles. They went back and forth. In the end, the man admitted that the Rav’s ruling was sensible and bid him farewell. Afterwards, R’ Chaim was at peace knowing that he had indeed done the right thing. 
 

Many were puzzled and wondered how this wise man knew how to console R’ Chaim while so many others had failed. The man explained that when he saw how R’ Chaim was blaming himself, he realized that it was impossible to argue with him and prove that he ruled and advised properly. No one would possibly know the depths of the analysis that had taken place in his mind. Therefore, he realized that if he used an approach that would force him to explain himself, R’ Chaim would clearly see that the basis for his ruling was correct, and he would conclude that his father’s death was not his fault. 
 

We can see a clear lesson from this story. The answer must come from within. A person needs to arouse within himself the will and desire to rectify his ways. When it comes from within, then he will be able to overcome and withstand the accusations of the Yetzer Harah who tries to make you feel like you simply cannot do the mitzvot. As Chazal taught, (Brachot 7a) that a single regret in one’s heart is more impactful than many lashes. 

From Within Oneself

“When a man from [among] you brings a sacrifice to Hashem” – when a person wants to bring Jews closer to Hashem, he must realize that it depends on the Jew himself. He needs to realize his abilities, and then there will be an arousal of the will and desire that is buried deep in his heart. Then the Jew can grow continuously in Torah and mitzvot and achieve greater goodness throughout life. 

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The Kalever Rebbe is the seventh Rebbe of the Kaalov Chasidic dynasty, begun by his ancestor who was born to his previously childless parents after receiving a blessing from the Baal Shem Tov zy”a, and later learned under the Maggid of Mezeritch zt”l. The Rebbe has been involved in outreach for more than 30 years and writes weekly emails on understanding current issues through the Torah. You can sign up at www.kaalov.org.