If You’re Happy and You Know It, Don’t Just Smile

By Rabbi Nissim Lagziel

A Joke to Begin With…

There’s a story about a tzaddik who once stayed as the guest of a sincere and straightforward simple Jewish farmer. In the middle of the night, the farmer was awakened by the sound of uncontrollable sobbing coming from his guest’s room. He entered the tzaddik’s room and asked him in amazement, “Why are you crying? Are you dissatisfied with the room? Do you lack anything? A more comfortable mattress? Another pillow?”

“No, no,” the tzaddik, who was in the middle of reciting Tikkun Chatzos, replied. “I’m crying over the exile and the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash.”

When he saw that this Jew had no idea what he was talking about, he started to explain. “You know, at the end of days, Melech HaMoshiach will gather the Jews scattered throughout the world and bring us back to the Holy Land. Then, we will no longer have to worry about the rampaging Cossacks, who (r”l) organize pogroms – harassing, persecuting, pillaging, and plundering our property…”

After a lengthy explanation of the wondrous things we would experience in the era of the Redemption, the tzaddik asked the good-natured farmer, “Nu, do you also want Moshiach to come?”

The man thought for a moment. On the one hand, the Cossacks really did constitute a serious problem, but on the other hand, to abandon his farm, his home, the cattle and sheep, the geese and chickens – just to go to Eretz Yisrael? He wasn’t so sure.

He decided to consult with his wife. Finally, he came back with a solution: “My wise wife has an excellent idea – why won’t the Moshiach come and take all the Cossacks to Eretz Yisrael and leave us safely here?

***

This week, we read Parshas Bechukosai, the concluding weekly Torah portion of Chumash Vayikra. Without question, the central theme of the parsha is the concept of reward and punishment. The Torah portion begins with an abundance of destined blessings that the Jewish People will receive in return for learning Torah and fulfilling mitzvos – rain in its proper time, large quantities of produce and food, peace and security, and so on. As the parsha continues, we also read some less happy news – what will happen if they don’t.
Many of us have surely wondered to ourselves: What is the connection between fulfilling the mitzvos of the Torah and the promise of material reward? Is a Jew supposed to put on tefillin so that he will have enough money for a villa in a posh upper-class neighborhood? Is it possible that observing Shabbos is a segula for getting a new Mercedes? While we all give tzedakah and recite Tehillim when a relative or friend is in need, is this really the way things are supposed to be? What happened to what is stated in Pirkei Avos (1:3): “Be as slaves who serve their master, not for the sake of reward”?

Let’s divide the question into two parts:

a) Why does the Torah mention the concept of reward at all? It would seem that a Jew should fulfill the mitzvos of the Torah without any intention of acquiring a financial profit!

b) If there has to be reward promised, why not tell us of spiritual benefits? Gan Eden, the revelation of Eliyahu HaNavi, or something else of that type?

These questions apply primarily to all matters of the Geulah. Torah sources are filled with numerous Heavenly inspired expressions about the material reward we will receive at the coming of Moshiach. We all know to tell how candies will grow on the trees, the soil of Eretz Yisrael will produce cakes and fine wool garments, and a single wheat kernel will be the size of an ox’s kidney (Gemara Shabbos 30b; Kesubos 111b et al). Even the less phenomenal prophecies promising that world peace will reign, and global economic prosperity will thrive at the time of the Redemption, are all speaking about material reward.

Is that what Moshiach is all about? Is our great anticipation of nearly two thousand years summed up by the gratification of our material desires? For some better food? 

There are those who will explain that in fact, the ideal situation would be for a Jew to carry out G-d’s Will without expecting any reward in return, neither material nor spiritual. In truth, the mitzvos of the Torah are not a means for personal gain of whatever type; they are about fulfilling the will of Hashem. However, most people are incapable of serving Hashem so altruistically. They need some incentives and inducements. The Torah is not for saints only, and most of us are not saints, and since “the Torah speaks to the majority,” the Torah promises a reward for fulfilling mitzvos.

By the same token, the commentaries explain that the reward promised in the Torah is precisely of material nature. Those people in need of more personal motivation don’t get too excited over a spiritual reward! They’re not looking forward to studying Torah with Eliyahu HaNavi…they would prefer an open check to buy whatever their hearts desire or a sumptuous meal at a prestigious five-star restaurant…

Just imagine if someone would offer you as payment for hours of exhausting work to hear a shiur from a brilliant rosh yeshiva. What would you say? You need to be a refined person to appreciate that, and not everyone is.

This concept is valid with the Redemption as well. In their description of the material rewards destined when Moshiach comes, our Sages meant to arouse even simple Jews to anticipate and long for the Geulah. Not everyone can long for the spiritual fulfillment and G-dly revelations we will experience then. Therefore, Chazal describe at great length the abundant material blessings we will have at that time. As a result, all Jews at all levels will want to yearn with all their might for the coming of the Redemption.

However, as always, Chassidus teaches us to dig deeper. The Rebbe explains that the material rewards mentioned in the Torah (and at the Redemption) are actually an expression of the Torah’s essential fulfillment. Torah is the essence of good; one hundred percent absolute good at every level. Absolute good must pervade every aspect of a person’s life and every part of our world. If this is truly good, then it is good for everyone, everywhere, at any time.

The Torah is compared to life, and just as the spirit of life spreads throughout the human body, from head to toe, so too, the Torah brings goodness and reward at every level, even the most materialistic.

If the reward of Torah were only spiritual in nature, it would demonstrate that the Torah’s effect upon man is limited, and therefore, it takes expression only in certain facets of his life. When something is truly vital, it’s meant to instill life within a person right down to his toenails, to his lowest point, to his most physical aspects!

The fact that the Torah promises material reward is not only to keep the less refined Jews involved, it also demonstrates the power of the Torah as something relevant to every aspect of the world, leaving nothing, even the lowest, out!

The spiritual fulfillment of the era of Redemption too will be realized not just by studying the mysteries of Torah, but also through an abundance of material good that has never been known before, showing how G-dliness has penetrated even the lowest.

When the Geulah comes, the world will be totally united with the source of G-d’s Divine blessings, taking expression specifically through the material bounty all will have then. Since the world will be totally connected to G-dliness, it will dwell upon and unite with our world with the fullest strength and fortitude. Thus, it will automatically influence all aspects of earthly existence, even the most material, raising it to an entirely higher plane. All this will be a direct result of the state of the world at the time of the Redemption.

When you’re happy, you smile. When you’re very happy, you dance. If you notice, most people dance on their feet.

To Conclude with A Story:

A businessman came for a yechidus with the Rebbe and complained that his profits are far too low, despite the hard work he and his partners had invested. “And how much of these profits do you give to tzedaka?” the Rebbe asked. The man replied with some embarrassment that he hadn’t given anything…

“In your next business deal,” the Rebbe suggested, “have Hashem join as a partner by your contributing ten percent of your profits to charity. As with any good partner, Hashem will do everything within His power to make certain that the business deals will succeed.”

Take-A-Way:

Geulah is about getting everything and everyone involved. Don’t keep Hashem out of anything in your life; whatever He touches is blessed. Hashem is so great that even the small things, like our material needs, are not too insignificant to be elevated by the Torah. ■

Good Shabbos!

Based on Likkutei Sichos, Vol. 37, Parshas Bechukosai.