They say that WWII fighter pilots, entrusted with the most destructive weaponry of all time, weren’t actually aware of the potential damage that would be caused by the bombs they were dropping.
Can you imagine?! A group of young men assigned a task that would forever change history, handling nuclear arms representing one of the biggest breakthroughs in science and technology – and they have no detailed knowledge of the power they hold! Absolutely astounding.
But what I find most incredible yet in this entire story is that the execution of a multi million-dollar innovation, the brainchild of one of the greatest scientists of all time, was so desperately and entirely dependent on the simple act of an uninformed bomber pilot.
How remarkably powerful!
This is, in fact, a great paradigm for the potency of a mitzvah. Indeed, mitzvot are the brainchild of the Creator, fused with a supreme energy designed to bring change to every facet of human life and every space in our vast universe.
Of course it’s important to understand as much as we can, but let’s remember to appreciate that essentially, the ultimate fruition is solely dependent on our simple deed. Yes, even if we cannot fully comprehend the mitzvah’s entire significance, it remains completely up to us to make it happen, our performance vital to the actualization of the mitzvah’s potential.
It is for this that the Talmud states that when one fulfills a mitzvah he becomes a partner with Hashem in the creation of the world. The term “partner” is not used loosely here, asserts Kabbalah, but indeed, we literally work in partnership with G-d, for without the fighter pilot’s small action the world and its mission remains unfinished.
Let us truly recognize the great value of every single mitzvah that we do.
Faced with an opportunity to fulfill a good deed? Don’t wait! The task is yours to complete!
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Mendy
