Reb Moshe Feinstein zt”l once tested a class on Gemara and then asked them a question. “How does doing Hashem’s mitzvos affect the way we live our lives?”
One boy said, “If not for mitzvos, we would be able to play outside.”
Reb Moshe smiled and said, “Jews may play outside; that’s not a problem. But how do Hashem’s mitzvos affect how we play?”
The boys didn’t know what to answer.
Reb Moshe said, “Hashem’s mitzvos affect even how we play outside. We should not fight, not make fun of others, cheat, lie, call anyone names, or use bad language. Even when relaxing or having a good time, we should live the way Hashem wants.”
What's the lesson? Life is not what you do, it’s how you do it!
R' Shmishon Pincus zt”l said that in today's generation we have a beautiful Yiddishkeit; we have the most beautiful tefilin, tzitzis, matzahs, and esrogim, but we are missing one thing. We left Hashem out of Yiddishkeit. We have to bring Hashem into our Yiddishkeit. We have speak and live with Hashem as if he's real, because he is! It will affect the way we live our lives and how we do mitzvahs.
- One can eat, sleep, play, etc., and have nothing in mind, but one can have in mind serving Hashem, and it all becomes holy and part of serving Hashem.
- One can eat, but can also make sure others have something to eat.
- One can sleep to rest and wake up strong to serve Hashem, but can also make sure others can sleep as well.
- One can play sports and be the best player, but one can also make sure no one is left standing alone on the sidelines.
- One can have free time to relax, but can also choose to help others!
If one lives their life this way of thinking, always doing the right thing. They will never be bored. There is so much good to do. Either with self-growth or by helping others, which is also a way of growing!
This Connects To Purim:
Purim is a day of joy, but there is still a Torah way to be happy. Hashem's mitzvos affect even how we have a Purim!
It’s not by leaving friends out of a Purim group. It’s about including everyone, caring for everyone, and looking out for everyone.
If Haman wanted to kill everyone. We need to love everyone!
Sometimes it’s very hard, but we yidden and we do what is right, even when it's hard.
It may mean going to a Purim party you don't want to go to, and it may mean not going to a Purim party that isn't good for you.
On Purim, R’ Shraga Feivel Mendelowitz zt”l noticed that a young bachur, (who later became the mashgiach of Torah Vodaas, R’ Moshe Wolfson shlita), had a talent for saying deep ideas in rhyme.
He told him to make a rhyme in lashon kodesh as well.
While later, R’ Mendelowitz went over to him and said, “I got to read your rhyme in lashon kodesh; I see you have a special talent. But who in our generation could write as well as those in the earlier generations of a thousand years ago, like the Akdamus for Shavuos?”
What’s the lesson: 1) Look for ways to give compliments and uplift others. On Purim, when people are more open, one can take advantage of the day and not just give out money but also give out compliments.
2) A person has to remember, do not become baal gaavah and think you are perfect, there is always room to grow. To really keep growing, one must stay humble. R’ Mendelowitz didn’t want R’ Moshe Wolfson to become too proud.
3) If you have a talent, use it for Avodas Hashem.
This connects to Purim:
Everyone has talents and abilities. Mordechai told Esther, maybe for this reason you were chosen as queen, to help save Klal Yisroel. Now isn’t the time to be humble. Now is the time to use the ability Hashem has given you. This may be exactly what Hashem wants from you. Use it.
In life, each person has the ability or talent to help others. Hashem wants you to use it. Why do you think He gave it to you?
If one misses even one word while listening to the megillah, one must listen to it again. That’s the lesson! Every part of the Purim story was important for the miracle to happen. The good parts, the bad, the scary, it was all part of a master plan.
In life, realize that every part of your personal story is part of a master plan.
Invite Hashem Into Your Life. Every Part of Your life Is Important!
