Promptness! | Rav Nissim Yagen ZT"L

*For the Refuah Shleimah of Rav Yaron ben Doris (Rabbi Yaron Reuven).*

*Promptness!*

One of the many lessons that the mitzvah of matzah contains hidden within it, a lesson that is relevant to our lives on a daily basis, is the importance of the trait of zerizut—promptness

When we wish to change our ways and grow spiritually, the yetzer hara will sometimes whisper in our ear, "Yes, you're right, it's good to become religiously stronger—but not so fast! If you make progress too quickly, you're liable to lose your family, who won't be willing to advance at such a quick pace, and you'll lose everything!"

Somehow, the yetzer hara convinces us that it's preferable to keep Hashem waiting, rather than have the wife and/or children get left behind. The matzah teaches and reminds us that we must not delay when a mitzvah, or any kind of opportunity for Strengthening ourselves spiritually comes our way. We need to seize the opportunity immediately, so as not to miss out!

Keep the mitzvot promptly. Don't say, "Hold on, it'll get done eventually." If your father would ask you to bring him a cup of tea, would you let him wait several years for it? Of course not! So why would you make Hashem wait for you to perform a mitzvah?

Just like matzah, which symbolizes promptness, must not be allowed to rise, so too you mustn't miss a mitzvah. If you see something good to do, don't miss out on the opportunity. Act on it right away!

As the Sages expressed it, "If a mitzvah comes your way, don't let it become chametz." This has two meanings: First, we must take care not to miss the opportunity to merit eternal life by doing the will of our Father in Heaven, the Creator and the King of Kings. Second, we must make sure not to perform the mitzvah with a sour face [the root of lehachmitz also means "sour"]. Hashem desires mitzvot that are done willingly, happily, with a full heart—not mitzvot that are done like a demon is forcing you, or like it's a burden you wish somebody would take off your back.

-Rav Nissim Yagen zt'l

Netivei Ohr 505-506

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