Parshas Bimidbar

"Dad wants me to buy something for him at the mall. Since I wanted
to go there anyway, I'll do it."

"I'm not sure if we're going to make a bris (circumcision) on our
newborn. Doctors use to think it was very healthy, but now they're not so
sure."

"Moshe took the census of Bnai Yisroel as G-d commanded." (Bimidbar
1:19) Rav Moshe Feinstein zt"l comments that all nations take census of
their people: Moshe did it because G-d commanded him.

We don't listen to our parents because it is convenient. We do it
because they tell us to. We don't keep Kosher or do a bris (circumcision)
because it's healthy. We do mitzvos because G-d tells us to.

Have a great Shabbos !!

Rabbi Chaim Flom
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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rabbi Mitterhoff,

Dear Rabbi Flom,
You wrote
"Rav Moshe Feinstein zt"l comments"
If he isn't living, why do Rabbis always write "comments" which is present tense?
Sincerely,
Mark

Quote "Rav Moshe Feinstein zt"l comments"
If he isn't living, why do Rabbis always write "comments" which is present tense?"

The answer would be from Mesechta Sanhedrin 90b (as paraphrased by Kollel Iyun Hadaf


i. (R. Yochanan): If someone died and a Halachah is said in his name in this world, his lips move in the grave - "Dovev Sifsei Yeshenim"

It's also written that "צדיקים במיתתם נקראום חיים" - The righteous even in their death are called "living".

[The converse is "רשעים בחייהם נקראום מתים" - The wicked even when living, are called “dead”.]

Dear Sam & Rav Chaim,
I would have answered like Rav Chaim, because that Chazal makes reference to quoting the deceased, but Sam's answer is also very creative and nice.
Thanks.
Chaim Flom

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rabbi Flom:
Parshas Bimidbar
We don't listen to our parents because it is convenient. We do it
because they tell us to. We don't keep Kosher or do a bris (circumcision)
because it's healthy. We do mitzvos because G-d tells us to.
QUOTE]

Dear Rabbi Flom,
...Although it is true that ultimately we need to do mitzvos because Hashem commanded us, but being that we have taivus and yetzer horas and that we live in a physical world, especially in the 21st century-causes us to need to want to do mitzvos because we get some pleasure out of it. Sure we should all want to do things solely for the purpose of our "Avienu Malkainu". But if we do not have such a strong Emunah, I.e., we do not feel that close to him we should need to add or at least be allowed to come up with certain alternative incentives for us to do things. Of course some people say a bris may not be that healthy as was once perceived. But we do it anyway. Yet, other mitzvos such as davening with a minyan-I hate shlepping to minyanim. But I say to myself- if I go my wife will be happy, I will feel good that I went, Hashem will be happy, etc.....All those reasons are not solely because Hashem told me to. I am using alternative thoughts to get me to go. Is it so realistic (although certainly commendable) to be totlally L'shaim Shamayim? I'm sorry for rambling. I hope you understood what I said and if you can respond with some thoughts that would be great!. Thank you so much again.
Sincerely,
Mark

Dear Mark,
Your question is terrific.
QUOTE
"Although it is true that ultimately we need to do mitzvos because Hashem commanded us, but being that we have taivus and yetzer horas and that we live in a physical world, especially in the 21st century-causes us to need to want to do mitzvos because we get some pleasure out of it."
QUOTE
You are 1000% correct. Chazal even tell us "mitoch shelo lishma, ba lishma" "when a person does something not for the sake of the mitzva, he will come to do it eventually for the sake of the mitzva". I have been running Avos uVanim (a father & son learning group)in Sanhedria Murchevet for seven and a half years and wouldn't dream of showing up without candies and raffle prizes. When I was a 7-8th grade Rebbe in Hebrew Youth Academy of Essex County 29 years ago I let my talmidim wear my hat or gave them pictures of Gedolim (the great Rabbis)if they did well or didn't watch TV for a while. So the answer to your question is that as long as you are aware that the real goal is "because Hashem wants me to" you're on the right path. Also, once you have that realization you can "work on" improving your motivation.However, for example,if you are bringing someone closer to Yiddishkeit, and you tell them that Jews do a bris because the doctors say it is healthy, that is dangerous, because the person isn't aware of the goal, and his whole observance is based on his perception of health.
On 2 side issues:1)I am glad that your aishes chayil (wife) is your yetzer tov. 2) Even before the 21rst century people had to work on becoming righteous.
Take care.
Rabbi Flom