| |
Connecting Completely
Selected from the anthology, "Pirkei Avos in
the Light of Chassidus".
"Be as careful [in Hebrew, "zahir"] in
[the performance of a seemingly] minor mitzvah as with a major one." (Avot,
2:1)
Careful
The word "zahir" (translated here as "be
careful") is related to the word "zohar", meaning "light", and hints to
the soul. Thus, with this meaning, the above statement teaches us that the soul
will be illuminated by a "minor" mitzvah just as it is illuminated by a "major"
mitzvah because, "G-d desires the heart".( Baal Shem Tov, Tzva'at HaRivash 1:17)
In all the commandments
The 248 positive commandments are called the "limbs of
the King". Just as physical limbs are made up of flesh, bone and sinew and act
as vessels containing the light and life of the soul, so too the mitzvot
are vessels for the revelation of G-d's Will.
Each limb of the body has a particular function, and
its own unique nature and characteristics. And all of the limbs together, since
they are interconnected and interdependent, form a complete and whole person.
The following examples illustrate these ideas: If one of a person's limbs or
organs, whether internal or external, is damaged, the entire body does not
function correctly. The same principle applies to healing - by letting blood
from a healthy limb, another section of the body which is ill can be healed.
Similarly, when a person occupies himself with work which he does with his
hands, he also occupies other powers of his soul, such as his intellect, his
power of sight, his hearing etc. If one limb is missing or is damaged, it
affects the entire person who becomes crippled or maimed.  | | " Each mitzvah has its unique intention and draws down divine light in its own particular way..." | | |
So too with mitzvot which are "limbs of the King".
Each mitzvah has its unique intention and draws down divine light in its
own particular way, according to the distinctive nature of that mitzvah. In
addition, all of the mitzvot are interconnected and, by fulfilling each mitzvah,
a person connects to the supernal light in all of the mitzvot together. And,
just as a person will expend all his energy in avoiding becoming maimed in one
of his limbs, so must he do in a spiritual sense. He must make every effort not
to be maimed in one of his spiritual "limbs" - even in one mitzvah. Therefore,
our Sages tell us, be careful in a "minor" mitzvah just as in a "major" one.(Rabbi Dov Ber Shnueri, Torat Chaim, Ex. p. 493)
Connecting
The different levels which we find in the mitzvot
("chukim" - those mitzvot which are super-rational and
cannot be understood; "eidut" - mitzvot which one would not
necessarily have arrived at by logical inference but which can nevertheless be
understood; "mishpatim" - mitzvot which can be understood
rationally; minor, major) stem from the intellectual aspect of each mitzvah.
However, regarding the essence of each mitzvah - all stem from G-d's
Will, and there is no difference between them.
The main aspect of all mitzvot is that by way
of them a person becomes connected and bound with the Holy One, blessed is He.
We see this illustrated in the fact that the word "mitzvah" is related to the
word "tzvata" meaning a bond or knot. And this is equal in all mitzvot.
When a Jew fails, G-d forbid, to perform even a minor Rabbinical amendment, this
also transgresses G-d's Will and therefore affects his entire connection to
Divinity. For this reason the Mishna warns, "Be as careful in a minor
mitzvah as with a major one" - you must take the same care in performing all of
the mitzvot.(The Lubavitcher Rebbe, Likutei Sichos vol. 13, p.69)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every Single Day
From Tzavaat Harivash (Kehot), teachings of the Baal Shem
Tov; translation and commentary by Jacob Immanuel Schochet
Do not allow a single day to pass without performing a
mitzvah, whether it be a "minor" or "major" mitzvah, as our Sages said, "Be
careful [in Hebrew, 'zahir'] with a 'minor' mitzvah [as with a
'major' one]" (Avot 2:1); the word "zahir" is an idiom of "They
that are wise shall shine [in Hebrew, 'yaz'hiru']" (Daniel 12:3).
This means that the soul will shine and glow from a "minor" mitzvah even as it
does from a "major" one, for "The Merciful requires the heart" ( Zohar II:162b;
Sanhedrin 106b).
The emphasis is on daily acts. Every single day is an important
entity on its own. Thus it requires something concrete to show for itself, a
light or illumination of its own that is effected by the performance of a
mitzvah. To perform many mitzvot on one day make up for the lost opportunity of
another day. (CF. Zohar I:129a and 224a on the significance of each
individual day.) To the seeker of G-d there is no difference between "major" and
"minor" mitzvot: both are commands of G-d and effect refinement and illumination
of the soul.
This is a very significant matter, for then you know that
you achieved something that day: you created an angel... | | " G-d then provides that person with an angel that will help him...." | | |
When anyone performs commandments, each mitzvah he did ascends
on high, stands before the Holy One, blessed is He, and says, "I am from
so-and-so who did me." G-d then provides that person with an angel that will
help him. Likewise, G-d provides him with an angel for every word of Torah that
he listens to." ( Zohar Chadash, Acharei: 47a) See also the verse:
"He who does even a single mitzvah gains himself an advocate; and he who commits a
single sin acquires an accuser." (Avot 4:11)
...And "if there be for him an angel, an intercessor..." (Job
33:23)
"Even if 999 [accusers] argue for his guilt, and one [advocate]
argues in his favor, he is saved, as it is said, 'If there be with him an angel,
an intercessor, one among a thousand...He is gracious to him.'" (Shabbat 32a)
This is indicated in the verse: "he who guards [in Hebrew, 'shomer']
the mitzvah will know no evil" (Ecclesiastes 8:5). That is, when you undertake
the instruction stated, you must stand on guard from morning to evening for the
opportunity to perform a mitzvah that may come your way. This is the implication
of the word "shomer", as in "his father guarded [in Hebrew, 'shamar']
the matter" (Gen. 37:11). It is the remedy to attain "he will know no evil",
i.e. precluding nocturnal emissions which are referred to as "evil".
To be mindful of mitzvot and to heed their performance protects
man from sin.
This general principle is indicated in the verse "The
kindness of G-d is all day long [in Hebrew, 'kol hayom']" (Psalms
52:3); that is, one should perform kindness with G-d, blessed is He, every
single day.
For further reading, see the complete index of all of our Pirkei Avot articles.
|
