One important guideline for working to create a kiddush Hashem is to view even the smallest amount of progress as a tremendous mitzvah. If you manage only to reduce another person’s hatred for the Torah, that alone is a huge accomplishment.
The Chofetz Chaim used to expend a significant amount of his time and energy arranging kosher food for the Jewish soldiers who had been stationed on several of the czar’s army bases. Someone once remarked to the Chofetz Chaim that his efforts were a waste of time. True, the soldiers were eating the kosher food he had arranged for them, but after that they would go ahead and consume tereifeh food as well.
The Chofetz Chaim replied, “If these Jewish soldiers eat just a little less tereifeh food because they are somewhat full from the kosher food, that makes it worthwhile as well.”
Causing a slight reduction in an aveirah is a mitzvah in its own right. This is a very important concept that should be taught to every religious Jew.
Reproduced from A Life Worth Living by Rabbi Shraga Freedman with permission of the copyright holders, ArtScroll/Mesorah Publications, Ltd.
