Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 6/9/2017, 3:46 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
The Mishna in Avos (5;15) says "there are four types of people who go to the study hall. The first type goes to the study hall but doesn't do, he has the reward for going".
Rashi- explains that the meaning of "he doesn't do" is that he doesn't understand what was taught in the study hall.
The person had wonderful intentions to go to the study hall and study the Torah but when he went he didn't not understand what was being taught. One might think that since the purpose is to know the information and he doesn't know the information then he might as well not have gone at all. To this the Mishna says, no, this person nonetheless receives reward for going and trying.
Unlike our physical world in which there are no rewards for trying, in the spiritual realm and G-d's Outlook there is a tremendous amount of reward for those who try even if they aren't successful. Our Sages says that a good thought of a person G-d considers worthy. A person should realize even the simplest resolutions that they make in their mind have a deep impact. If someone sincerely resolves to put on tefillin everyday, even if he is hassled and overcome by other obstacles or even natural laziness, that resolution still goes a long way in the spiritual sense and he will be rewarded.
Our sincere desires to attain spiritual greatness and do good are worthwhile even if they never come to fruition.
