| Dedicated in honor of Jay Worenklein
How to Instill the Love of HaShem Upon Your Heart \ Parashat Toldot
D'var Torah: "Because Avraham listened to My voice and he kept My charges, My statutes, and My Torah" (Bereishis 26:5). Once Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz saw a man with a tatoo on his arm. He had engraved the image of his close friend on his skin so that he would always remember him. Rabbi Yerucham gleaned a powerful lesson from this incident. Avraham Avinu was not obligated to observe the Mitzvot because he lived before HaShem gave us the Torah at Mount Sinai. Nevertheless, Avraham Avinu meticulously observed all the Mitzvot because he recognized that the Mitzvot serve to elevate man. What is the secret power of Mitzvot? Avraham observed the Mitzvot because the Mitzvot heightened his awareness of HaShem, engraving his love of HaShem always upon his heart.
Moral: The Mitzvot have a very high purpose, they are not just random rules to discharge. Rather, Mitzvot bring man closer to HaShem by engraving the love for HaShem upon his heart.
Application: Before you perform a Mitzvah reflect on the fact that the purpose of the Mitzvah is to instill the love of HaShem upon your heart. Remember that each Mitzvah is a wonderful opportunity to elevate yourself and fill your heart with the joy of knowing and loving HaShem. (Based on the commentary of Darchei Mussar) We're on a search! Looking for a Shul or community to support the seminal Salant Kollel and Mussar Centre. AdoptAKollel.org makes it easy. Please contact Rabbi Zvi Miller for further information, at salantorg@gmail.com | 
