A professional drummer was considering the perfect 25th-anniversary gift for his wife.
He finally settled on something really special, and as he presents the beautifully wrapped box, he says “my dear, just know that this is the best there is on the market – it’s truly exclusive!”
Excitedly, she opens the box to reveal the latest drum set to come to the market…
It’s a story about a husband whose gift reflected his wants rather than his wife’s, but unfortunately, it also typifies a rampant attitude in our society that can be summed up with: “What’s in it for me?”
Sometimes, we are so obsessed with ourselves that we find it difficult to stop and genuinely think about what someone else wants or needs.
Indeed, this is also critical with regards to what G-d wants and needs.
The emotional individual says, “G-d wants your heart;” the intellectual, “G-d wants the prowess of the mind;” the go-getter, “G-d wants your action.” Indeed, we often give based on our estimation of G-d.
So, are we really thinking about Him, or are we simply living out our own ideals and values?
To be sure, it takes some listening to focus on His wants as opposed to ours. And of course, if you’re a drummer, it may feel better to give drums over flowers. But let’s be honest to His wishes.
So when G-d says he likes Mitzvot, even if it may be a simple action that might not seem significant to us – if it is truly His want that we seek to satisfy, then that is precisely where we ought to begin. Emotion and intention are of essence, too, but let’s not delay meeting G-d’s wants until we’ve garnered adequate appreciation from our end.
After all it’s “his want”, not ours.
Shabbat Shalom
R. Mendy
