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Chapter Two: | 57 64 | A New Light Chapter Two: | 33

Of course, the Jews responded to this proclamation of the leaders person who absorbs what he learns, and there is a person 2 But that is hard to fathom. Why is his intent considered equal to
of the generation. Everywhere they organized rides and hung up who does not absorb anything. He is like a funnel. The his having performed the mitzvah? In fact, he didn’t do so. It would
signs calling on everyone to participate in the gathering. Whoever learning goes in one ear and out the other. seem more logical to say that if he were thwarted so that he could
heeded the ruling of the leaders of the generation signed up for the not perform the mitzvah, he will not be punished for his dereliction,
bus rides without hesitation. People set aside their learning, their Yossi and Danny are only one example. For many years, I have because the Compassionate One does not obligate a person who is
activities and business, took off from work, and came to participate given classes and I have accompanied many people returning to blocked by circumstances beyond his control. But why should he be
in the public prayers. Many brought along family members as well. the Torah. I have seen thousands of Yossis and many Dannys. I rewarded, as though he had performed the mitzvah?
see many Jews who come regularly to my classes and become a
But not everyone went. For instance, when Reuven was part of the “scenery,” who listen, enjoy, and are inspired. When The answer is that heaven only wants a person’s will. If, in
getting himself ready, his father told him, “You are not going to I follow up on people’s progress, I notice this phenomenon. It is addition, he acts on that will, that is excellent. If he has the will but
any gathering. You will not leave this house.” All of Reuven’s exceedingly pronounced. There are two types of people. There are he is unable to act on it, he has done his part. As for the act, which
explanations were of no avail. His father told him resolutely, “If those who change, progress, and rise in serving Hashem. As weeks is the Creator’s part, He decided for reasons of His own not to
you go, you are not my son.” As for Shimon, as soon as his wife and months pass, they are no longer the same. They continue to implement it. That is not the responsibility of the person, who did
heard that he was planning to participate in the gathering, she burst rise ever higher. And then there are those who do not move a what he was obligated to do. Therefore, it is considered as though
out yelling at him. When she calmed down, he tried to explain millimeter, as though they did not hear anything. They remain he completed the deed.
to her pleasantly that he was obligated to heed the sages, but she exactly the same.
responded by threatening that if he dared go to the gathering, she Thus, we see here explicitly stated that the essence of a person’s
would divorce him. Levi was locked in his room and could not get I see this phenomenon in my classes, but it occurs as well when reward is accorded for his will. Even if he did not act, he receives
out. Yehudah had no money. Ephraim’s car needed repairs and his people read books and listen to recordings. One person reads reward as though he did act. And when he does act, the essence
neighbors did not have room for him in their cars. And Menashe a book or pamphlet, or he hears a recording, and his entire life of his reward is not for the act but for the intent, because that
returned from work so exhausted that he fell asleep and missed his is transformed for the better. He immediately begins to feel the constitutes the essence of the merit that he has gained.
ride. Garden of Eden. Yet another person reads, hears, enjoys—and
then he continues on his way as though nothing happened. He is a A phrase in Nedarim (62a), “Do things for the sake of
A Reckoning funnel…. the One Who made them,” indicates that Hashem, may
He be blessed, performed them. (See there the Rosh and the
When these people who were unable to attend come to heaven What Is Going on Here? Ran.) This means that Hashem, may He be blessed, is
and are asked: “Why didn’t you heed the leaders of the generation the true Actor, whereas a person only possesses
and participate in the gathering?” each one will describe his Allow me to share with you the thoughts that passed through will. The power of a person’s free choice is the
circumstances. The heavenly court will accede to each one and tell my mind. Everything depends on the will. Therefore, I thought, fact he chooses and desires the deed. And so the
him: “You are vindicated, because you were prevented from going. apparently Danny doesn’t want to change. But I immediately principal thing is that a person perform a mitzvah for its
We can see what happened in these heavenly ‘videos,’ exactly as rejected this idea. That isn’t so. Danny talks with me and asks me own sake: that his intent and thought should be for the
you testified. But even so, why didn’t you want…?” for advice. More than once, I heard him say how much he wants sake of heaven. If he performs an act without intent,
good character traits, how much he wants a peaceful home. On one what does he have? Nothing, because the deed came
The heavenly court will show each one of these people that others occasion, when he was speaking bitterly about his angry outbursts,
with much greater obstacles did attend. Those others wanted and he told me that all he wants is to be rescued from the trait of anger from Hashem, be He blessed, Who is the Actor.
continued to want, until they succeeded in attending. The court and to attain serenity and composure. And many times he told me
will tell Reuven: “When you saw that your father was determined that he wants to be happy, yet happiness eludes him. The most Commentary: Here Rabbi Tzadok adduces additional support for
to stop you, you set aside your intent. Look at Gadi. His father noticeable sign that Danny does want to change is that he suffers so his assertion that in truth only Hashem acts. The Gemara states, “Do
locked him in his room, so that he was physically unable to go. But things for the sake of the One Who made them.” This statement