Rabbeinu Yonah in his classic work, Shaarei Teshuva, quotes a statement of the sages - "Man is destined to work - joyous is one whose work is in Torah."
The sentiment expressed is as follows : Life is all about work. Effort, toil, perseverance. Mankind must DO something. One who is fortunate, however, will make his portion of toil in the sweet fields of Torah.
In another mashal - chazal say - the one who toils in mundane matters is considered like a tanner, whose person stinks from the chemicals used on the hides. In contrast, a person whose toil is in Torah is like a perfume salesman whose person is pleasing to the nose...
So we see that we're doomed to work. But we get to choose what our work is.
In this life, we are going to worry about something. We are going to strive and make efforts and try to succeed. At some points these thoughts and drives might even define who we are.
Wouldn't it be better if what I worry about, what consumes me is a desire to perfect my tefilah - or my ability to truly empathize with the recipient of my gemillus chasadim - instead of how much money I will make or how good I will look in this outfit ?
To live a better life, work for something that makes you smell good. And play your 'worry' cards on serving God.
'till next time,
R' Druyan
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1 comment:
"adam liamal yulad"
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