The Great Avodah of Hachanah for a Mitzvah

Hachanah Prior to a Mitzvah Is Among the Great Teachings of the Ba’al Shem Tov

But we know that there’s a great concept of hachanah, preparation—and this concept of preparation can enable us to be present during the mitzvah. This is one of the great yesodos of chassidus that the holy Ba’al Shem Tov transmitted to his followers: the greatness of investing in the preparations for a mitzvah.

The rule is that if we’re lacking in the preparation for a mitzvah, we’re lacking in the kavannah, the meditation and thought of the mitzvah. One cannot be properly present when performing a mitzvah if he hasn’t properly prepared for the mitzvah. This is something we have heard over and over from the tzaddikim: A Yid must make a proper hachanah before going into a Yom Tov or before performing a mitzvah.