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| Art: Boris Dubrov
''And you shall take for yourselves on the first day, the fruit of the hadar tree...'' [Emor 23:40]
The Vilna Gaon had a great love for the mitzvah of the four species. Year after year, Vilna's vendors streamed to the Gaon's house with choice etrogim, and he would select the one he thought was the nicest.
One year, a vendor showed the Gaon an exquisite etrog. The Gaon was very impressed and was willing to pay its full price.
''I do not wish to sell the etrog for money'' responded the vendor. ''Rather, I desire the reward that you will garner for performing the mitzvah of the four species.''
''I readily agree'' said the Gaon. ''I will take the etrog, and you will receive my reward.''
All those who visited the Gaon that Sukkot saw him savoring his beautiful etrog to a far greater degree than in previous years.
To calm their curiousity, the Gaon explained: '''Throughout my entire life, I have yearned to fulfill the words of our Sages [Pirkei Avot 1:3] ''Be like servants who serve their master, not for the sake of receiving a reward.'' A person must not serve Hashem simply in order to receive a reward. This is extremely difficult, however, as we are constantly aware that we will receive a reward each time we perform a mitzvah, But this year I was given the opportunity to perform a mitzvah with the knowledge that I would not be receiving any reward for doing so!''
''I am so fortunate to have merited such an opportunity. This is why you find me so overjoyed.''
Source: Rabbi Yisroel Bronstein |
When We Come to the Gate
10 hours ago
3 comments:
BS"D
Discussion with Moishela (with his family)
A Handicapped child
28 Nisan 5776 (May 6, ‘16)
"It Is TRUTH!"
Mommy, There will be big revelations this coming week. Most people won’t understand what they are hearing or seeing but there will be enough people that will understand. The world is in great danger. The drums of war are heard everywhere. Worldwide we see countries pulling out their most deadly weapons and exhibiting them together with their armies marching in formation to the sounds of war. The rattling of missiles, beating of the drums is happening in almost every country of the world. While most of the people stop and scratch their heads trying to figure out why in the world everyone is talking about war. It’s not clear in any way what the reasons are for countries to go to such an extreme. But the world has bowed its head and just let the Reshoim continue their plans to take over all of the world and march most of humanity directly to their death.
This coming week should reveal more of their plans. The people of America are trying to make Donald Trump their president in order to overcome the shackles that have been put on them by the Reshoim or socalled popular vote of the people of the United States. I doubt very seriously if there will be an election at all.
Hashem is going to bring upon the world such an enormous tragedy, such an enormous test for the righteous and those who want to be righteous, that in all history, since man was created, no test, no spiritual test has ever been so difficult.
But Hashem is preparing us for it. He created us and He knows who will pass and who will fail, Chas Vesholom. However we don’t know what the outcome will be. So, Am Yisroel, hold on tight to your Emunah and Bitachon in Hashem. Hold on tight to your Davening and to our customs, our learning Torah, to everything that makes us Yidden. Hold onto your outward Tzniusdik look of a Yid. Hold on with all your heart, your soul and your might so as not to be blown away by the incredibly strong winds of destruction that will destroy most of the world. There will also be fire and water together with the wind that will destroy two thirds of our planet eart.This is not a joke, it’s not made up. It is Truth! It’s not a movie or a story written in a book. It is the Truth! One day soon we are going to realize that it is Truth. I hope for all Am Yisroel and for all the righteous Goyim that accept the Truth that we survive this most difficult time and live on to achieve eternity.
Gut Shabbos
To the person who posted this comment: I believe it was Moishele's father. That discussion is dated May 6. Can you tell us what these big revelations were?
I think maybe that question (re revelations) needs to be posted to Moishele's father at their web page. They do answer questions but I don't know how timely. Another interesting item, there is discussion at AbsoluteTruth blog about the Haftorah for Parshas Emor, which you read this Shabbat. In part, "prophet Ezekiel gives the laws that will apply to the Kohanim in Messianic times, after the building of the Third Temple." Not sure if there is a connection, but both being in a close parsha- time-frame (in Eretz Yisrael).
BTW That picture is so sweet. Modernize the furnishings and it's the same today.
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