Perke Avot
As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L
“Rabbi Yossi says: …and let all your deeds be for the sake of Heaven.” (Abot 2:12)
Rabbi Yossi was one of the five greatest disciples of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakai. He was a Cohen and was noted to be a “Haseed,” who served Hashem in an extraordinary manner in all aspects of service.
The Mishna lists for us three cardinal paths by which R’ Yossi lived. In the final one he teaches us that we can practice having all of our actions done ‘In order to serve You Hashem,’ and thereby reach high levels of perfection, through mundane as well as spiritual actions.
The Rambam wrote that this principle, of making all your actions for the purpose of Heaven, is a “wondrous point.” We can utilize this great principle in all facets of our lives and thereby elevate mundane activities into the spiritual realm of holiness and serving Hashem.
Prior to eating, walking, exercising, getting dressed, showering, opening then door to your place of work etc. just say the words, for example, “I am going to sleep tonight to serve You Hashem.” You have now elevated your sleep and transformed it into actual serving Hashem.
By making this “wondrous” practice a regular part of our everyday life it will bring us to Yirat Shamayim, Awareness of G-d, in all of our actions and it will transform the most physical and ordinary daily activities into acts of Serving Hashem. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Mishle 3:4) The Gaon of Vilna explains this as “Let all of your deeds be for the sake of Heaven.”
This principle will also elevate our spiritual actions to a level closer to Hashem’s will. When the women are cooking meals for their families or lighting candles, when the men are putting on Tefillin and even before a person is about to open a book to learn Torah, say it, once a day: “I am doing this in order to be more aware of Hashem.”
Make all your actions for the purpose of Heaven.
Shabbat Shalom
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