Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Do It Right !

The Mishna in Tractate Shekalim discusses what was done with left over money that had been earmarked for public sacrifices. Rabbi Yishmael states : Wine and fine flour were bought with it and sold to people (who would use it for individual sacrifices) and the money would go to the temple treasury. Rabbi Akiva disagrees. "One does not institute a practice of poverty in a place of wealth," says Rabbi Akiva - meaning, that in the Beis Hamikdash where everything was done on a grand scale to honor G-d, it would be unfitting to sell off surplus - like a shuk - even if it is for the temple treasury.
This is the concept of 'do it right'.

Don't cut corners.
Don't think that you can get away with 'good enough'.

This is especially helpful to remember when we are on a summer or 'off' schedule. It's easier to do mitzvos when we surround ourselves in an environment of holiness ( aka Eretz Yisrael, Sem, etc... ) but even if we aren't in an optimal place - at least we can try to not let our Avodas Hashem suffer.
Do it Right !

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