Torah.org Home Subscribe Services Support Us
 
Print Version

Email this article to a friend

Chapter 31: 1-3
Intentions for the Sake of Heaven

1. [Berochos 63a] states: "Which is a short passage on which the entire body of Torah is dependent? 'Know Him in all your ways'" (Proverbs 3:6). This means that even in the paths you follow for the sake of your physical needs, you must know G-d and carry out these functions for His name's sake, blessed be He.

For example: eating, drinking, walking, sitting, laying, getting up, sexual relations, conversation - all the needs of your body - should be seen as part of your service of your Creator, or as something which leads to His service.

2. How does this apply regarding eating and drinking? It is unnecessary to say that one should not eat prohibited foods. Rather, even with regard to permitted foods, if one is hungry or thirsty and eats or drinks for the sake of his own pleasure, it is not commendable. On the contratry, one should eat and drink with the intention ofderiving strength to serve the Creator.

Therefore, one should not eat everything which is pleasing to the palate, like a dog or a donkey. Rather, one should eat those things that are beneficial to the body's well-being. There are meticulous individuals who, before eating, say: "I want to eat and drink to be healthy and strong in order to serve the Creator, blessed be His name."

3. How does this apply with regard to sitting, getting up, and walking? It is unnecessary to say that one should not sit among jesters, stand in the manner of the sinners, or walk according to the counsel of the wicked. Rather, even when one sits in the forum of the upright, stands in the place of the righteous, and follows, the advice of the sincere - if one did so for one's own benefit, to satisfy one's own desires and wants - this is not praiseworthy. One should do so for the sake of Heaven. Nevertheless, if one cannot carry out these activities for the sake of Heaven, one should not refrain from them. Serving G-d for one's privite interest will ultimately lead to serving G-d for for His sake.

   Intentions for the Sake of Heaven
Paragraphs 4-7
Next
Table of Contents

Halacha-Yomi, Copyright (c) 1999 Project Genesis, Inc.

Please Support TORAH.ORG
Print Version       Email this article to a friend

 

ARTICLES ON BEHAALOSCHA:

View Complete List

Giving Klal Yisrael A "High Five"
Rabbi Yissocher Frand - 5768

A Second Chance At Pesach
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - 5764

What He Wants Will Be
Rabbi Raymond Beyda - 5763

Looking for a Chavrusah?

Crowned With Humility
Rabbi Yaakov Menken - 5760

Besting Yourself
Rabbi Pinchas Avruch - 5763

Chance of a Lifetime
Rabbi Raymond Beyda - 5767

> Setting the Example
Rabbi Aron Tendler - 5761

Our Awesome Power
Rabbi Pinchas Avruch - 5764

Learn to Thrive
Rabbi Dovid Green - 5762

Frumster - Orthodox Jewish Dating

Investing in Torah—You Can Bank on it
Rabbi Eliyahu Hoffmann - 5766

Of Days and Years
Rabbi Aron Tendler - 5764

Moshe Vs. Yisro
Rabbi Aron Tendler - 5759

ArtScroll

When You Rise
Rabbi Berel Wein - 5766

Our Eyes and Ears
Shlomo Katz - 5762

Flipped Upside Down
Rabbi Pinchas Avruch - 5762

The Seven Books of Moses
Shlomo Katz - 5758



Project Genesis

Torah.org Home


Torah Portion

Jewish Law

Ethics

Texts

Learn the Basics

Seasons

Features

TORAHAUDIO

Ask The Rabbi

Knowledge Base




Help

About Us

Contact Us



Free Book on Geulah!




Torah.org Home
Torah.org HomeCapalon.com Copyright Information