BS’D
The mentality of Eisav aka the modern Western world highlights only the ‘top winner’, the richest and most famous. What happened to second place, third place and a good fighting team spirit? Mankind is on the road to perfection – not perfect. What makes humans tick are our strengths and weakness; ups and downs.
We are born with potential which gives each of us a fighting chance to be the best we can be. We invest ourselves and beseech Rachamei Shamayim; Hashem then showers His bracha on all our endeavors.
Reb Yisrael Salanter ztk’l says when it comes to communal work, a person should not expect or even want to win — he just has to try! Putting forth the effort is the only thing that truly matters – the intensity and sincerity of the effort invested.
The meaning of Chazal’s words: “A person thought to do a mitzvah and didn’t do it — it’s considered as if he did it” – If Hashem commands you to do something and you wanted and tried to do so, to Him, your service is perfect. Let us not get frustrated with our ‘failed’ efforts and thoughts that we seemingly ‘fell’. Hashem wants our continued efforts without giving up. At the end that’s all that counts.
