Do Good, Despite Mixed Motives At times a person might feel guilty about his lack of elevated motivations when doing good deeds. But the Sages state that we should engage in bible study and the fulfillment of good deeds even if we lack pure motivation -- since it will ultimately lead to our doing good deeds with more pure motivation.
Moreover, Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin wrote: It is impossible for a person to reach the level of doing good with entirely pure intentions without starting with mixed motives. This is analogous to a king who ordered his servant to go to the attic. The king will not be angry with his servant for not jumping from the ground to the attic in one leap. He knows it is impossible to go up without taking the ladder step by step.
Similarly, in bible study and the performing of good deeds, it is necessary to start with various motivations until one reaches pure motivations.
Love Yehuda
Layman's 10 Commandments :
1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs you on the right path throughout every day.
2] Why is a Car's WINDSHIELD so large & the Rear view Mirror so small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, Look Ahead and Move on.
3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes few seconds to burn, but it takes years to write.
4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it; it won't last forever. If going wrong, don't worry; it can't last long either.
5] Old Friends are Gold! New Friends are Diamond! If you get a Diamond, don't forget the Gold! To hold a Diamond, you always need a Base of Gold!
6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, G-D smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end!"
7] When G-D solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities; when G-D doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.
8] A blind person asked a Sage: "Can there be anything worse than losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"
9] When you pray for others, G-d listens to you and blesses them, and sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has prayed for you.
10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES, it takes away today's PEACE. |
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