From a young age I have had the opportunity to encourage Jews to do Mitzvot. The Rebbe educated us that we must all take personal responsibility for the spiritual growth of every Jew.
The Chabad education system incorporates a robust program empowering youngsters to venture out into public spaces, approach perfect strangers and assist them in doing another Mitzvah. Whether the setting calls for helping someone don Tefillin in the middle of a busy airport, bringing a Lulav and Etrog to the hospital and everything in between.
In the course of this life-long mission I have met Jews of every imaginable stripe and flavor. To be sure, responses to Mitzvah offers have been varied and I’d like to reflect upon a certain type I hear from time to time.
“Rabbi, I’ll do it for you.”
“I’m doing the Mitzvah so that this business deal works out.”
“My health has been better, I hope this Mitzvah helps.”
While these approaches are understandable and do not faze me in the slightest, others have questioned the value of Mitzvot observed for ulterior motives.
In this week’s parshah we learn of the prohibition of Orlah. One may not eat from the fruits of a tree for the first three years after it was planted. In Israel, the fourth year fruits are considered holy and during the Temple era were only eaten in Jerusalem as a thanksgiving to G-d. The Torah then emphasizes “In the fifth year, you may eat its fruit. [Observe this law] in order to increase the tree’s produce for you.”
G-d makes a deal with the Jew: Abstain from eating the fruits of your labor for four years and it will be well worth your trouble.
Why is this necessary? Are we not obligated to observe G-d’s commands altruistically without concern for material benefit?
The famed Rabbi Akiva poignantly explained it this way. The prohibition of Orlah is uniquely challenging as the Yetzer Hara (the Evil Inclination) rightfully protests the unfairness of working so hard and reaping no benefit for so many years. G-d acknowledges this human tendency by indulging us with the promise of tantalizing success in the long term.
This one-of-a-kind deal teaches us a fundamental truth about Jewish observance and spiritual growth. There is no shame in starting the journey for selfish reasons. In fact, the life story of Rabbi Akiva proves the validity of this point.
He was a forty year old illiterate shepherd when the beautiful only daughter of the wealthiest man in Jerusalem offered to marry him if he would commit to learning Torah full time. Unable to refuse such a deal, he entered the Torah academies and eventually became the most important Talmudic sage in Jewish history. Although the beginning of his spiritual journey was transparently selfish, he attained the greatest spiritual heights and his impact on Jewish life continues to resonate today - 2,000 years later.
Don’t let your self-consciousness interfere with your spiritual growth. Find a good selfish reason to learn more Torah and to do another Mitzvah and encourage others to do the same.