Re'eh (2b): Live a Little!

We mentioned previously that the richness of Yahadus that is available is dependant on us  to find. When we listen to the Mitzvos and inspire ourselves then the path of Ratzon Hashem is the most enticing thing in the world.

There is an interesting statement of Chazal that the Torah can be either a Sam HaChayim or a Sam HaMaves, either an elixir of life or a deadly poison.  It is understandable how how the Torah gives life, but how does it give death? Surely it gives life or remains neutral. But how can it be bad for you?

I heard an answer in the name of the famed Mirrer Rosh Yeshiva, R' Nahum Partzovitz zt"l.

Look around the halls of a Yeshiva. There are Bachurim and Avreichim who are flying. They love every minute of this life they have chosen. Torah is Geshmak and they are fully invested. But there are others, a sad group, a group of students who drag themselves around with no life, no zest. Secretly they hate this whole thing. They feel stuck. They don't learn like they should and they are constantly itching to leave. Not only that but this lifestyle deprives them of money and Olam HaZeh. Oy.

For this group, because of the lack of push and inspiration, the Torah is a Sam haMaves. They feel crushed by the Torah, not enlivened by it...

Similarly, take a business man who pulls a 9 to 5 with overtime. He likes the New York Times more than the Mishna class that he forces himself to listen to. He goes to Shul and either does nothing or talks. The whole Judaism thing is a burden. It doesn't fit with the type of life he would like to lead: vacations, fancy restaurants and women. For this man too, because he has yet to be shown the beauty of Avodas Hashem his Judaism is giving him more unrest than fulfillment.

Torah can be a Sam HaMaves and that is the curse of not listening to the Mitzvos.

If we do our best to expose ourselves to the high energy and lifeforce that is Yahadus then we are sure to live lives full of richness and Simchah.