What is the most important Pasuk in the entire Torah?
Ben Zoma says: Shema Yisrael Hashem Elokeinu Hashem Echaad” "“Hear O Israel, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem alone.”
Ben Nanas says we have found a better verse than that and it is "ואהבת לרעך כמוך" “Love your fellow man as yourself.”
Shimon Ben Pazi says we have found an even better verse than that and it is "את הכבש אחד תעשה בבוקר ואת הכבש השני תעשה בין הערבים" “The first lamb you shall sacrifice in the morning and the second lamb you shall sacrifice in the evening.” [referring to the daily Tamid offering brought every morning and evening].
Rabbi Ploni stood up and said that the halacha is in accordance with Ben Pazi. He comments that you get to loving G-d through loving your neighbor and you get to loving your neighbor through being present always, תמיד.
What is the meaning of the widely divergent reasons given by the Talmud for the longevity of these rabbis? Why would these particular positive actions be associated with longevity while others aren’t? Is there a common thread integrating these apparently disconnected actions? Rabbi Refson quotes his Rebbe, Rabbi Elya Lopian, who pointed out that in each of the numerous reasons offered by the Talmud, the reason for longevity is prefaced with the words, “never in my life”—in Hebrew, le’olam , at all times. “The common thread behind the rabbis’ longevity,” answered Rabbi Lopian, “was persistence and consistency in pursuing actions which they viewed as of central importance.”
Simon Sinek Video:
Consistency is the Key - Simon Sinek | Little Inspirations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIyIZC7Ca_Y
Do you have friends who only seem to come around when it is convenient for them? Ever thought someone close to you would always be there when you’re in need, but when push comes to shove, they’re nowhere to be found? Inconsistency is a terrible attribute that far too many people nowadays possess.
Consistency is as important as correctness. How can you ever be true to your word if your actions are constantly inconsistent? Inconsistency is inherently sketchy and causes people to believe you have an alternative motive. This is both a factor in personal relationships, as well as business, and even fitness routines. Essentially, consistency can be attributed to any aspect of life.
“The only decision that will ever matter in life is deciding whether or not you will focus on what matters most. That one decision will be the determining factor between leading a life of meaning and joy, or one frequented with regret. Every other decision is simply a byproduct of that choice.”
— Greg McKeown
“Perfection of effort is not required, by the way. It is the consistency of attempting to work these tools that brings the progress. It’s like anything else. If I want to tone muscle, lifting a ten-pound weight a few times every day will move me toward my goal much quicker than hoisting a fifty-pound barbell once a week. Yes, it really is true: “Slow and steady wins the race.” Just try a little, every day. You’ll see.”
― Holly Mosier
(טו) הַכֹּל צָפוּי, וְהָרְשׁוּת נְתוּנָה, וּבְטוֹב הָעוֹלָם נִדּוֹן. וְהַכֹּל לְפִי רֹב הַמַּעֲשֶׂה:
(15) Everything is foreseen yet freedom of choice is granted, And the world is judged with goodness; And everything is in accordance with the amount of man's positive deeds.
אחר כך אמר, שהמעלות לא יושגו גודל שעור לפי המעשה, רוב לפי אלא מספר המעשה . וזה, שהמעלות אמנם יושגו בכפול פעמים הטוב מעשי רבות, ובזה יושג הקנין, לא בשיעשה הטוב ממעשי גדול אחד מעשה האדם , לבדו שבזה לא יושג קנין .
משל זה , שהאדם אם דינר אלף שראוי למי יתן , בפעם אחת ולאיש אחד , לא תושג לו מעלת הנדיבות בזה הגדול האחד המעשה , כמו שתושג אלף שיתנדב למי דינר באלף פעמים , ויתן כל דינר מהם על הנדיבות צד , לפי שזה ייכפל על ידו מעשה פעמים אלף הנדיבות , ויושג קנין חזק, וזה פעם אחת בלבד התעוררה הנפש התעוררות טוב למעשה גדולה , ואחר כן פסקה מזה
וזה ענין הוא אומרו: אבל המעשה רוב לפי לא על פי המעשה
The greatness of giving is not calculated by how much you give, rather by how many times you give. One acquires and sets a foundation in giving by contributing over and over again and not by one big giving.
A parable to this idea is of a man who gives a large donation to one person and another who gives a smaller sum of money to many people. The latter is given the title “giver.” Each time he provides, he creates a foundation of giving, and transforms himself into a giver. The former, on the other hand, only donated out of a moment of inspiration and as soon as this inspiration leaves, he will no longer give.
This is what the rabbis meant when they said: “But in accordance with the amount of man's positive deeds.”
כי האדם נפעל כפי פעולותיו, ולבו וכל מחשבותיו תמיד אחר מעשיו שהוא עוסק בהם, אם טוב ואם רע, ואפילו רשע גמור בלבבו וכל יצר מחשבות לבו רק רע כל היום, אם יערה רוחו וישים השתדלותו ועסקו בהתמדה בתורה ובמצוות, ואפילו שלא לשם שמים, מיד ינטה אל הטוב.. ובכח מעשיו ימית היצר הרע, כי אחרי הפעולות נמשכים הלבבות. ואפילו אם יהיה אדם צדיק גמור ולבבו ישר ותמים, חפץ בתורה ובמצות, אם אולי יעסק תמיד בדברים של דופי... ישוב לזמן מן הזמנים מצדקת לבו להיות רשע גמור, כי ידוע הדבר ואמת שכל אדם נפעל כפי פעולותיו
Rabbi Aharon of Barcelona, Sefer HaChinuch, Mitzvah 16
A person is influenced by his actions, and his heart and thoughts follow the acts he does whether they are good or bad. If a completely wicked person who constantly thinks of doing bad deeds is inspired for the better and puts time into fulfilling Torah and mitzvot, even if it is not for the sake of Heaven, even he will turn to the good, and he will overcome his evil inclination through the power of these actions, since the heart follows the actions a person does. Similarly, even if one is a completely righteous person who desires Torah and mitzvot but always involves himself in bad deeds…after a certain amount of time he will become a wicked person, for we know, and it is true, that every man is affected by his actions.
Based on Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, Growth Through Torah, Bnay Yakov Publishers, p. 168
This concept of the Sefer HaChinuch (discussed above) is a basic one for becoming a better person. Even if you are not able to have elevated thoughts at first, force yourself to behave in the way in which you hope to eventually become. If you want to become a giving person, even though you are inwardly very selfish, you will eventually succeed if you continue to behave in a giving manner. This is the self-creation principle. You create yourself by your behavior. Awareness of this will enable you to improve yourself in any area in which you are deficient. Make a plan to perform as many actions as possible that would touch the positive traits you want to develop. After acting positively for a long enough time, your thoughts will become consistent with those actions, and you will become a positive person.
Practical Take Away Activity:
Everyone write down one character trait or habit you want to master this summer: "I will become someone who is calm", "I will become someone who Davens", "I will become someone who talks to God", "I will become someone positive", "I will become someone who is sensitive".
Then write down 1 to 3 specific actions that you think that type of person would do:
"Not Lose my Temper", "Say the words of Shemona Esrei", "Find the good in each situation", etc
- Every night: write down and "grade" that trait or action on a 1-10 scale. Will then see throughout the summer how the number you started at and the number you consistently acheived by the end