The Powerful “I”

MyLife Essay Contest 2015

A businessman, while finishing his weekly Tefillin wrap, reflects to himself, “Is it really important that I put on Tefillin?”

Upon giving his monthly donation, the doctor thinks to himself, “Is it really crucial that I give charity?”

A rabbinical student, while studying for hours a day, contemplates, “Is my Torah study really significant?”

Every individual, living for a purpose, wonders at times, “Are my actions really important? Do they really make a difference?” Not realizing the value of one’s actions can definitely be a source of discouragement. On the other hand, recognizing the value of one’s actions brings happiness, joy, and excitement. It is Chassidus that teaches us that, although our Creator is so great and we are so small in comparison, our every action is so significant to Him.

Setting it as the foundation to the Tanya, the Alter Rebbe quotes the Passuk, כי קרוב אליך הדבר מאוד בפיך ובלבבך לעשותו“ ”. “For it is exceedingly near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to do,” referring to mitzvos. Moshe Rabbeinu, before his passing, tells the Jewish people, the mitzvos you were commanded to do are in your ability to fulfill with your thought “in your heart”, with your speech “in your mouth”,
and with your action “to do”. In a deeper sense “in your heart” may refer to emotions, rather than thought. Emotions, as well, can be used in the service of G-d.

The Alter Rebbe points out that emotions are amongst the deepest faculties of a person, and very few people have total control over them. Therefore, the Alter Rebbe asks, “How does the Torah, which talks to each and every Jew equally, say regarding emotions, that “it is exceedingly near to you”?

It is on this question that the first 40 chapters of Tanya are based. The Alter Rebbe explains that emotions can be part of our service to G-d, and how important emotions are in the performance of mitzvos, which are our gift of connection to the Almighty. Doing mitzvos out of love adds energy and excitement in the performance of positive mitzvos; as when fulfilling the desire of one’s dear friend, the mere knowledge that one is doing his friend’s desire adds energy and excitement. Furthermore, fulfilling G-d’s wishes with awe will prevent one from going against His wishes.

In the 41st chapter, the Alter Rebbe goes back to basics. Emotions and feelings are important as well as necessary. However, emotions cannot be the driving force behind the service of G-d. Mitzvos must be fulfilled whether one has a feeling of love to G-d, or not. The foundation to service of G-d is the natural awe of G-d every Jew possesses within, which though not always revealed, prevents one from going against G-d’s will. This awe is aroused through the comprehension that though G-d is so great and we are so small, every action is so important in His eyes.

Clouds, birds, monkeys, and trees are all created by G-d to fulfill a purpose. But G-d’s desire, the purpose of creation, is to call this physical world, a world where spirituality is not openly revealed, “HOME”, – to reveal spirituality within physicality. This is not to be done through great spiritual revelations, for this would not transform it, but rather just subdue the physicality. It is a mission given to mankind, particularly the Jewish nation, to take physical items and through mitzvos transform them to something spiritual. G-d, who created and is the life force behind every creation, gave the Jewish nation the opportunity to connect to Him through fulfilling His desire and the purpose of creation, by doing His mitzvos.

Though one may wonder, if it is about fulfilling G-d’s desire, “must it be me? There are many others who can fulfill G-d’s desire”. “Does G-d really care about my actions?” The Alter Rebbe explains that this responsibility of fulfilling G-d’s desire is not one merely placed on the Jewish nation as a whole, but rather one placed on each person as an individual. As the Mishna says, it is an obligation to look at oneself as being the purpose of creation. It was precisely for this reason, that man, unlike other creations, was created alone. This was to teach us the value of the individual. Adam, being alone in this world, had the entire purpose of creation in his hands, and it was Adam’s single action which caused a spiritual descent, as seen from the sin of the tree of wisdom. In the same manner, it could be your single action which will tip the scale and change the world for the better.

Furthermore, your actions are not merely affecting the entire world, but the entire purpose of creation depends on your actions. G-d’s desire of calling this physical world His home, to reveal spirituality, is dependent on you taking straps of leather, and with them doing the mitzvah of Tefillin, or with your hard earned cash, helping somebody in need. Many others may be doing the same action, but it is your action which is important and makes a difference.

This realization, of how important my action is, brings one to serving G-d not just because of a feeling or emotion, but rather as a servant serves his master, with complete devotion. It is not my feeling which is important. It is His wish that is important, and if my small action is so important to G-d, it means that my action which seems so small, is not so small after all. Therefore, I must do it whether I feel like it or not.

This recognition, that it is my actions which are important to G-d, carries a tremendous responsibility, for it’s dependent on me to fulfill G-d’s desire. On the other hand, knowing that my actions make such a difference gives a tremendous amount of encouragement and inspiration.

So, next time you’re feeling down, and stuck with the question, “Is it really important”, remind yourself, it was for my actions that the entire world was created.