Parshas Reeh

Opportunity for Blessing

"I'm so happy!! I did exactly what daddy wanted!!"

When there were no esrogim one Succos in Vilna, a man told Rabbi Eliyahu Kramer, the Vilna Gaon, that he would procure one for the rabbi, if the rabbi would give him the Heavenly merits of that mitzva (commandment). The Vilna Gaon jumped at the deal, and said "Now I can do the mitzva only because Hashem wants me to do it and not because of any reward!!"

"I (G-d) am placing before you a blessing and a curse. The blessing, you will listen to the mitzvos ..." (Divorim 11:26-7). The Abarbanel says that doing the mitzva itself (aside from Heavenly rewards) is a blessing!!

We have so many opportunities for blessings, let's not squander them!!

Have a great Shabbos!!

Rabbi Chaim Flom