With All Your Heart \ Parashat Vayakel
D'var Torah:
"Take from yourselves a portion for HaShem, everyone whose heart is moved with generosity shall bring it as a gift for HaShem: gold, silver and copper" (Shemot 35:5). Our Sages taught us the primary principle of Divine Service: "HaShem wants the heart!" (Sanhedrin 106b). Meaning, HaShem doesn't only want us to fulfill the Mitzvot in deed, alone. Rather, HaShem wants us to put our whole heart into each Mitzvah that we perform. Indeed, doing the Mitzvah with the heart - with sincerity and joy - is the most important part of the Mitzvah. In light of this, HaShem charged us to bring the donations for the Sanctuary with our hearts, "everyone whose heart is moved with generosity shall bring it as a gift for HaShem." There is a two-fold reward for serving HaShem with our hearts. Firstly, just as one who serves HaShem with his heart is enthusiastic, measure for measure, HaShem will quickly save him from his troubles. Secondly, he will be rewarded for honoring HaShem, because the world will see that HaShem saves His faithful servants.
Moral: Just as the heart is the life of the body, so too, doing Mitzvot with our hearts is the life of our service of HaShem.
Application: Envision King David dancing and singing joyfully before HaShem with all of his heart and all of his strength. Awaken your soul to put your heart into all the Mitzvot that you do. Fulfill your Mitzvot with joy, sincerity, and enthusiasm. Earn the merit of immediate redemption from your troubles, and the reward of honouring HaShem.
(Based on Chachmah U'Mussar, Saba Kadisha of Kelm)
The Salant Foundation is currently looking for a Shul or community to partner with us in sharing the merit of the unique and important Salant Kollel. There are practical and easy ways (such as adoptakollel.org) to create a special mutual relationship between the Kollel and a Shul or community. 
