The Will to Do Hashem’s Will

Living Emunah By Rabbi David Ashear

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9d ago

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The Chovot HaLevavot teaches us that when it comes to avodat Hashem , we are rewarded for our desire to do a mitzvah —even if we're unable to carry it out. This means that even a poor man is rewarded for wanting to give tzedakah , even if he doesn't physically have the means to do so. Our choices and our will to perform mitzvot are the very reasons we were created. This is the one area in which a person is not allowed to say, "I'll trust that Hashem will put the desire in my heart to do His will." Hashem created us to make that decision on our own and to develop that desire ourselves—He will not do it for us. However, a person may—and should—pray that Hashem help him maintain his desire to do good and provide him with the right environment and conditions to carry it out. In fact, Hashem loves when we ask Him for help to fulfill His will. First, it is up to us to decide that we want to do His will; only then can we ask for His assistance in following through. Sometimes we face extremely difficult circumstances, and it seems we may have to compromise on the spiritual standards we've set for ourselves. But we must know: Hashem yearns for us to do His will. If we truly desire it and sincerely ask Him for help, He will move heaven and earth to make it possible. Rabbi Elimelech Biederman once received a letter from a man who had such an experience. A few years earlier, this man had been inspired to improve his shemirat einayim —guarding his eyes. He took on many personal stringencies to protect himself even from potential challenges. About a year ago, he began experiencing intense pain in a certain part of his body. After an initial exam, his doctor told him he needed to see a specialist. He strongly recommended a specific expert whose clinic was located in the outdoor plaza of a very popular mall. The area, and especially that particular mall, was known for attracting crowds dressed immodestly. The man had committed never to enter such places, but now it seemed he had no choice. His doctor insisted that seeing this specialist could be a matter of life and death. The next available appointment was in a few weeks, at a time when the weather would normally be beautiful and the mall would likely be packed. The man spent the following three weeks praying daily to Hashem for help in maintaining his shemirat einayim . On the day of his appointment, something remarkable happened. The skies opened and it began pouring rain—torrents of it. This was after the rainy season had already ended. Rain during this time was extremely rare. Nobody could believe the weather. The rain was so heavy that almost no one wanted to be outside. The man arrived for his appointment to find the mall practically empty. He was able to visit the specialist and—amazingly—he didn't encounter any immodesty, even inside the office. Even more incredible: as soon as he got home, the rain stopped and the sun came out as it typically did during that season. It was clear that Hashem had changed the weather to help him maintain his commitment to shemirat einayim . This man had already made the decision to guard his eyes, and he asked Hashem to help him succeed. Hashem responded in a wondrous way. Everyone can be helped in their spiritual pursuits. But first, we must develop a sincere and powerful desire to do Hashem's will. Once we take that step, we can ask Hashem for help—and He will always be there to guide us through.

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