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The Torah study is dedicatedin the memory of
R. Avraham Ben David
Even when, presently, it is clear to an indiviual, that which he must do, and that which is proper to do, still, laziness can overcome him. "Perhaps," he reasons, "it is best, at any rate, to sleep a little bit more in order to gather up strength before I set out. If I sleep I will feel that much more refreshed later on; perhaps I will be able to perform my task more effectively, with greater clarity of mind." All of these explanations, though, are really nothing more than excuses, and if he does goes to sleep, he will no doubt doze off for a long time, will set out late, and in the end won't manage to complete everything he should have. "It is hot today," he says, "much too hot - it's better not to go out," or, "It's too cold, raining, dangerous - better to stay indoors," "I just finished removing my jacket, why should I go through the trouble of putting it on again?" One has to make himself aware of this tendency. One must overcome this negative quality - laziness - and develop instead the quality of zerizut , alacrity in the fulfillment of one's obligations - "Those who posses zerizut," tell us the sages, "race to fulfill the commandments."
The angels were blessed with this praiseworthy quality. Concerning them it says: "Mighty in power, they do His word, to listen to the voice of his word." They do His word even before hearing his word. "And the living creatures (i.e. angels) ran and returned, as streaks of lightning." True, man is no angel, and it is therefore impossible for him to ever attain the sort of strength that an angel possesses, yet certainly he must strive to come as close as possible to reaching this level. When it came to zerizut, King David would take great pride, saying: "I was quick. I did not delay in keeping Your mitzvoth,"
Zerizut, as we have mentioned, can be learned from the angels. It can, though, as a matter of fact, also be learned from the animals. This is evidenced by the words of the sages: "Be bold as a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a deer, and strong as a lion, to do the will of your Father in heaven."
Yet how does one actualize this quality, the quality of zerizut? The answer is that one should make a principle of never putting off a mitzvah. As the sages say, "When a mitzvah presents itself, don't put it off." When it comes time to perform a particular mitzvah or a mitzvah happens to presents itself - if one even considers performing a particular mitzvah, one should hurry and act quickly to carry it out without any delay and not put it off for even a short amount of time. In every hesitation there lies the danger that perhaps some delaying factor will suddenly appear, preventing the performance of the good act. Concerning this the sages have already noted, with regards to the crowning of King Solomon, that when King David told Benayahu the son of Yehoyada to crown Solomon his son under him - to take Solomon down to the Gihon River and anoint him there as king over Israel - Benayahu answered, saying: "Amen, let God say so." The sages asked: "What was this prayer? Had not it already been said that Solomon would be the one to rule?" The sages, though, explained: "Many a prosecutor will appear between here and the Gihon." That is, if an act is not carried out immediately, who knows what sort of disturbances will appear and prevent it's being carried out at all.
The quality of zerizut, then, means that every mitzvah which presents itself must be carried out immediately. "When a mitzvah presents itself, don't put it off."
Pathways in Personality Development (52)
Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed
5 - 5. Overcoming Weaknesses
6 - 6. "Zerizut" - Its Practical Application
7 - 7. Starting and Maintaining "Zerizut"
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
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Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
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Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
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(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
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Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
