In the beginning of Parshas Bechukosai we are told as it says in 26:3 -
4 (אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי, תֵּלֵכוּ) & (וְנָתַתִּי גִשְׁמֵיכֶם,
בְּעִתָּם). We are told that there is Schar for doing Mitzvos. There
seems to be a problem. The GRA in Mishlei 8:19 writes that
even though there are some Mitzvos that are (שֶׁאָדָם אוכֵל פֵּרותֵיהֶם
בָּעולָם הַזֶּה). There are Mitzvos for which there is Schar in this
world as we say every morning (אֵלּוּ דְבָרִים שֶׁאָדָם אוכֵל
פֵּרותֵיהֶם בָּעולָם הַזֶּה). Nevertheless says the GRA,
it is better for Tzadikkim to put that Schar away for Olam Haba. I
guess this is something like compound interest where you have the
principal which is put away for Olam Haba and for the interest, the
partial Schar which is available in Olam Hazeh. If a person
puts away that Schar for Olam Haba as well, so then he has a larger
Keren (where the Ribbis becomes Keren) the interest becomes principal
and there is more for Olam Habah. At any rate, the GRA says B'feirush
that it is Adif (better) for Tzadikkim to put away
even that Schar for Olam Haba.
Rav Shteinman in the Ayeles Hashachar asks that if so, what is the (אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי, תֵּלֵכוּ) then (וְנָתַתִּי גִשְׁמֵיכֶם, בְּעִתָּם)? What is this great news that if we do Mitzvos we will get Schar in Olam Hazeh? In addition, asks Rav Shteinman, in Davening we say Sab'einu Mituvecha. We ask that HKB"H should give us Schar in this world. So he asks the same Kasha that it is better to put away the Schar for Olam Habah. Now if someone wants his Schar in Olam Hazeh he is entitled but why be Kovea, why set up Davening that way?
Rav Shteinman answers that there is a difference with Schar for the Yachid and Schar for the Rabbim. For a Yachid the GRA is right it is better for Tzadikkim to put away their Schar for Olam Habah. However, our Parsha is talking about Schar for the Rabbim. This is something we discussed in previous years. In the name of Rav Elchanan we know that in this world there is Tzadik V'ra Lo and Rasha V'tov Lo. There are individuals who might be righteous and suffer. (אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי) seems to say that if you are righteous then you have success in this world and if not you have failed in this world. We see that it is not that way. Rav Elchanan explains that the Parshios of the Torah and Neviim which talk about Schar in this world are referring to the Rabbim, the Klal Yisrael. When Klal Yisrael goes in the Ribbono Shel Olam's ways we have Hatzlacha.
So too says Rav Shteinman. That (אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי, תֵּלֵכוּ) refers to the Rabbim. Sab'einu Mituvecha refers to the Rabbim. Our Tefillos are Tefillos for the Rabbim. And so, this is an explanation of (אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי, תֵּלֵכוּ).
Rav Pam used to say a totally different Mehaleich in this idea. The same question that the Schar is better put away from Olam Haba. Why are there (דְבָרִים שֶׁאָדָם אוכֵל פֵּרותֵיהֶם בָּעולָם הַזֶּה)? Rav Pam would answer if I recall correctly by quoting a Gemara. There is a Gemara in Maseches Eiruvin 28b (3 lines from the top) that says (ר' זירא כי הוה חליש מגרסיה הוה אזיל ויתיב אפיתחא דרב יהודה בר אמי אמר כי נפקי ועיילי רבנן איקום מקמייהו ואקבל בהו אגרא) Rav Zeira when he was weak and wasn't able to learn he would sit by the doorway of the Bais Hamedrash. Why? So that when Talmidei Chachamim would come and go he would stand up for them so that he should get Schar. So the Gemara says that when Rav Zeira was too weak to learn he would sit near the Bais Medrash and stand up for Talmidei Chachamim to get Schar. The question is to get Schar? A person is not supposed to do Mitzvos to get Schar. A person is supposed to do Mitzvos Lishma. Rav Zeira, the great Rav Zeira doing it for Schar?
Rav Pam would answer there are two types of Schar. There is a Schar which is physical pleasure in this world. A person should not do Mitzvos for the Schar of having pleasure or having Hatzlacha anywhere, not in this world and not for Olam Habah. Doing it for your own pleasure that is not right. However, there is a Schar which enables a person to serve HKB"H better. The Schar for a Mokir Rabbanan, someone who shows Kavod for Rabbanan is Yir'as Shamayim. So Rav Zeira said let me stand up for Talmidai Chachamim and in that way I will get the Schar L'kabeil Igra, I will get more Yir'as Shamayim. Anytime Schar is a tool in Avodas Hashem it is desirable, it is Lishma to do things for that purpose.
So too says Rav Pam, when we ask for Schar, when we say we want to be (אוכֵל פֵּרותֵיהֶם בָּעולָם הַזֶּה) we are talking about a Schar which enables us to serve HKB"H better. A Schar which gives us Menuchas Hanefesh to serve HKB"H. Parnasa Kala V'nikiya (easy). Not easy because we are lazy but because it should leave us with a mind that is clear, with a happy Neshama to be able to sit and learn. So that the desire for (וְנָתַתִּי גִשְׁמֵיכֶם, בְּעִתָּם). So that we should be better Ovdai HKB"H.
Rav Shteinman in the Ayeles Hashachar asks that if so, what is the (אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי, תֵּלֵכוּ) then (וְנָתַתִּי גִשְׁמֵיכֶם, בְּעִתָּם)? What is this great news that if we do Mitzvos we will get Schar in Olam Hazeh? In addition, asks Rav Shteinman, in Davening we say Sab'einu Mituvecha. We ask that HKB"H should give us Schar in this world. So he asks the same Kasha that it is better to put away the Schar for Olam Habah. Now if someone wants his Schar in Olam Hazeh he is entitled but why be Kovea, why set up Davening that way?
Rav Shteinman answers that there is a difference with Schar for the Yachid and Schar for the Rabbim. For a Yachid the GRA is right it is better for Tzadikkim to put away their Schar for Olam Habah. However, our Parsha is talking about Schar for the Rabbim. This is something we discussed in previous years. In the name of Rav Elchanan we know that in this world there is Tzadik V'ra Lo and Rasha V'tov Lo. There are individuals who might be righteous and suffer. (אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי) seems to say that if you are righteous then you have success in this world and if not you have failed in this world. We see that it is not that way. Rav Elchanan explains that the Parshios of the Torah and Neviim which talk about Schar in this world are referring to the Rabbim, the Klal Yisrael. When Klal Yisrael goes in the Ribbono Shel Olam's ways we have Hatzlacha.
So too says Rav Shteinman. That (אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי, תֵּלֵכוּ) refers to the Rabbim. Sab'einu Mituvecha refers to the Rabbim. Our Tefillos are Tefillos for the Rabbim. And so, this is an explanation of (אִם-בְּחֻקֹּתַי, תֵּלֵכוּ).
Rav Pam used to say a totally different Mehaleich in this idea. The same question that the Schar is better put away from Olam Haba. Why are there (דְבָרִים שֶׁאָדָם אוכֵל פֵּרותֵיהֶם בָּעולָם הַזֶּה)? Rav Pam would answer if I recall correctly by quoting a Gemara. There is a Gemara in Maseches Eiruvin 28b (3 lines from the top) that says (ר' זירא כי הוה חליש מגרסיה הוה אזיל ויתיב אפיתחא דרב יהודה בר אמי אמר כי נפקי ועיילי רבנן איקום מקמייהו ואקבל בהו אגרא) Rav Zeira when he was weak and wasn't able to learn he would sit by the doorway of the Bais Hamedrash. Why? So that when Talmidei Chachamim would come and go he would stand up for them so that he should get Schar. So the Gemara says that when Rav Zeira was too weak to learn he would sit near the Bais Medrash and stand up for Talmidei Chachamim to get Schar. The question is to get Schar? A person is not supposed to do Mitzvos to get Schar. A person is supposed to do Mitzvos Lishma. Rav Zeira, the great Rav Zeira doing it for Schar?
Rav Pam would answer there are two types of Schar. There is a Schar which is physical pleasure in this world. A person should not do Mitzvos for the Schar of having pleasure or having Hatzlacha anywhere, not in this world and not for Olam Habah. Doing it for your own pleasure that is not right. However, there is a Schar which enables a person to serve HKB"H better. The Schar for a Mokir Rabbanan, someone who shows Kavod for Rabbanan is Yir'as Shamayim. So Rav Zeira said let me stand up for Talmidai Chachamim and in that way I will get the Schar L'kabeil Igra, I will get more Yir'as Shamayim. Anytime Schar is a tool in Avodas Hashem it is desirable, it is Lishma to do things for that purpose.
So too says Rav Pam, when we ask for Schar, when we say we want to be (אוכֵל פֵּרותֵיהֶם בָּעולָם הַזֶּה) we are talking about a Schar which enables us to serve HKB"H better. A Schar which gives us Menuchas Hanefesh to serve HKB"H. Parnasa Kala V'nikiya (easy). Not easy because we are lazy but because it should leave us with a mind that is clear, with a happy Neshama to be able to sit and learn. So that the desire for (וְנָתַתִּי גִשְׁמֵיכֶם, בְּעִתָּם). So that we should be better Ovdai HKB"H.
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