“I have a story to share with you, Rabbi.” As I entered Jeff’s office he seemed visibly shaken. I know him as a calm and collected individual but today I could tell something unusual had occurred.
“This afternoon as I was driving on the freeway my tire had a blowout. By the time I managed to pull over to the shoulder the tire was a total wreck and I could not manage to pop it off. I called AAA and they assured me assistance was on the way. A few minutes later a car pulled up behind mine and a fellow approached and offered to help in rapid Spanish. Showing him my AAA card I tried to determine if he was from AAA. Ignoring the card, he pulled out a few tools from his car, popped off my shattered tire, replaced it with the spare like a pro and in less than ten minutes sped off down the freeway. At that point I realized that there was no connection to AAA and he had simply stopped to help a complete stranger in need.”
By now Jeff was in tears. “I wish I had paid him. Such random kindness, such selflessness... I know this is a blessing from Above so I decided to be sure to see you today to wrap Tefillin and say a prayer.”
While the actions of Jeff’s anonymous auto repairman are impressive and quite noble, I was moved by Jeff’s reaction to the ordeal. Possibly this fine fellow works in a body shop and to him the job was a standard procedure. Chances are that he will forget about the ten-minute stop in a short time, but Jeff will remember it warmly for a long while. Although such kind gestures occur fairly often, it made a deep impression on Jeff. None of his close friends and associates were able to assist him and this mentch of a human being did him a supreme favor.
As we wrapped Tefillin it dawned on me that this is one of the most empowering ideas articulated in Chassidus for over two centuries. Whereas Jeff’s fond memories of that roadside encounter may fade over time, the effect of each individual mitzvah is eternal. In our universe it may seem like a fleeting moment, but when we recite a blessing on the Lulav, give a coin to charity or light Shabbat candles we are fulfilling G-d’s desire – and G-d transcends time.
Think about it! Currently, none of the great Jewish leaders and saints of the Biblical and Talmudic eras can arouse such joy by G-d. Only living mortals on planet earth are capable of it. Even if the language of the blessings may be foreign and the environment of the synagogue strange, the action is what truly counts. It may seem random and out of context, but every mitzvah is elevated to a realm of infinitude and G-d will cherish and be delighted by it for eternity.
Appreciate the divine preciousness and everlasting relevance of even an isolated random mitzvah.