A fascinating distinction between Tahara and Hasidus is described towards the end of chapter nineteen, where the Ramchal compares the intent and motivation of the Tahor to that of the Hasid:
"Earlier [in chapter 16, on Tahara] we have already spoken about the different levels of L'shmah and non-L'shmah. However, certainly one who intends in his service to purify his soul before his creator in order to merit to be included among the upright and the pious, to experience the pleasantness of Hashem, to visit his sanctuary and to receive the reward of the next world - we cannot say that such an intent is bad, but nor can we say that it is the best. For as long as a person has himself in mind, his service is ultimately self-serving. The true kavanah that is found by the Hasidim who worked and strove to achieve it, is for man to serve Hashem solely in order that the honor of the Master, may He be blessed, should grow and increase..."
A person can perform a mitzvah perfectly, with a kavana which is Tahor and L'shmah, but there is still room for improvement. A mitzvah done because I want to get close to Hashem is indeed a beautiful thing, but it is not "the best." It is still about me.
Showing posts with label Chapter 19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chapter 19. Show all posts
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Beyond Nice
In his recent post, Eliezer Brodt points out that Mesilas Yesharim is peppered with extraordinary statements. Here is one that is at the top of my list:
"[A Hasid] should strive to do everything within his ability to bring any kind of pleasure to his fellow man. Whether it relates to honor, or anything else, anything that he knows would please his friend if he would do it - it is a Mitzvah of Hasidus to do it." (chapter 19)
This statement is all the more extraordinary in light of an earlier statement:
"In order to purify his thoughts when serving [Hashem], one should spend more time thinking about the perfidy and deception of honor and train himself to flee from it. Then he will be free of paying attention to the praise and compliments of people at the time when he is involved in his Divine service..." (chapter 17)
Despite the danger that honor poses to our Mitzvos, it is still a "Mitzvah of Hasidus" to distribute honor freely! This brings to mind a saying of R. Yisroel Salanter: "Someone else's Olam Hazeh is my Olam Habah!"
"[A Hasid] should strive to do everything within his ability to bring any kind of pleasure to his fellow man. Whether it relates to honor, or anything else, anything that he knows would please his friend if he would do it - it is a Mitzvah of Hasidus to do it." (chapter 19)
This statement is all the more extraordinary in light of an earlier statement:
"In order to purify his thoughts when serving [Hashem], one should spend more time thinking about the perfidy and deception of honor and train himself to flee from it. Then he will be free of paying attention to the praise and compliments of people at the time when he is involved in his Divine service..." (chapter 17)
Despite the danger that honor poses to our Mitzvos, it is still a "Mitzvah of Hasidus" to distribute honor freely! This brings to mind a saying of R. Yisroel Salanter: "Someone else's Olam Hazeh is my Olam Habah!"
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