Exploring the Heart of Avodas Hashem: The Power of Intention

Show Notes
Transcript

Ever pondered what Hashem truly desires from us? How would we distill our Avodas Hashem into one cogent idea? This enlightening episode unravels these questions as we dissect the intriguing halacha of Nedarim/vows and its implications on a young girl's vow to become a Nazarite. We navigate the labyrinth of spiritual repercussions if the daughter unknowingly breaks this vow and the father's authority to nullify it.

We illuminate the corners of our understanding by examining Rashi's profound interpretation of the importance of forgiveness in this scenario. Highlighting the essence of the intention behind our actions, Rashi paints a vivid picture of the divine value placed on our motives. Through a riveting exploration of the concept of Rchmana Liba Boi - Hashem wants your heart - we reveal the nature of every Jew's service to their master. Brace yourselves for a closing revelation; at its core, Judaism is about immaculate motives and intentions to serve Hashem wholeheartedly. This thought-provoking journey gives you a richer understanding of our Avotas Hashem and the significance of purpose in serving Hashem.

Support the Show.

Join the WhatsApp community for daily motivational Torah content! JOIN HERE
----------------

SUBSCRIBE to The Weekly Parsha for an insightful weekly shiur on the Parsha of the week.
Listen on Spotify or the new Jewish music and Podcast streaming platform 24six!
Access all Torah talks and listen to featured episodes on our new website, themotivationcongregation.org

----------------

Questions or Comments? Please email me @ michaelbrooke97@gmail.com

Transcript

WEBVTT

00:00:01.564 --> 00:00:05.272
What is it that Hashem truly wants from us?

00:00:05.272 --> 00:00:13.112
If we could summarize our Avotas Hashem into one phrase, one idea, what would it be?

00:00:13.112 --> 00:00:19.007
Is it to serve Hashem by doing his mitzvos?

00:00:19.007 --> 00:00:20.771
Is it all about mitzvos?

00:00:20.771 --> 00:00:21.472
Is that what it is?

00:00:21.472 --> 00:00:23.743
Perhaps you could make a strong case.

00:00:23.743 --> 00:00:29.890
Or maybe it's about character rectification, learning musr and perfecting our actions.

00:00:29.890 --> 00:00:33.810
Maybe it's about Tufila or Emuna.

00:00:33.810 --> 00:00:34.582
Which one is it?

00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:44.253
Perhaps this Rashi, and citing a Medrish, will throw a bit of a monkey wrench into the contest.

00:00:44.253 --> 00:01:11.228
You see, there is this famous parasha called Nidharim vows and o's that we've spoken about, and there's an interesting halacha that when a young girl will make a vow to become a Nazarite, a Nazir, her father has the ability to nullify it, to veto her decision, seeing that it's going to get in the way of normal, healthy practices.

00:01:11.228 --> 00:01:14.623
The imhaini avy o'sa be yomsho mo.

00:01:14.623 --> 00:01:29.728
If the father will veto her vow, kol nidore ve esore ha sherasar al nafshah, if he will get rid of any of the vow or o's that she has made, lo yokum, they will not stand, it will be nullified.

00:01:29.728 --> 00:01:34.811
The Hashem yislachlah and God will forgive her.

00:01:34.811 --> 00:01:38.588
So Rashi wants to know forgive her for what?

00:01:38.588 --> 00:01:55.091
And Rashi brings the Medrish that this is referring to a specific and unique case in which this daughter made a vow she's going to be a Nazarite, she's not going to touch dead, impure bodies and things, she's not going to drink wine and all of the different practices that an ulcer would have.

00:01:55.091 --> 00:01:57.388
I guess she would grow her hair out too.

00:01:57.388 --> 00:01:59.521
Yeah, guess so, anyway.

00:01:59.521 --> 00:02:12.144
But what happens if she should go after this Nidharim when her father then made it void and vetoed it, and she then will drink wine, thinking that it's a sin, even though it is truly not?

00:02:12.144 --> 00:02:17.128
In that case she needs a kapar of Hashem yislachlah.

00:02:17.128 --> 00:02:23.156
God will forgive her, says Rashi, because she didn't know that her father had vetoed it.

00:02:23.156 --> 00:02:28.030
She made the Neder and then went out drinking, and she needs a forgiveness.

00:02:28.919 --> 00:02:38.074
We see here how much the Almighty treasures our intentions, our meaning behind the actions.

00:02:38.074 --> 00:02:42.670
It was totally permitted for her to go and have a glass of wine.

00:02:42.670 --> 00:02:52.889
Her father had ripped up her oath and vow, but she had broken her word, she had destroyed her intentions.

00:02:52.889 --> 00:03:00.352
Her lishmah and chazal have educated us and told us what Klawli, israel's avaida is.

00:03:00.352 --> 00:03:05.306
What is at the root of every single Jew's service to his master?

00:03:05.306 --> 00:03:08.985
It is Rahmana liba bay.

00:03:08.985 --> 00:03:22.967
Hashem wants your heart and in this case, you went to go eat pig and although it wasn't, it was totally kosher, usda approved kosher meat.

00:03:22.967 --> 00:03:31.384
You broke your intentions, you destroyed your heart and you therefore need an atonement in a kapara from Hashem.

00:03:31.384 --> 00:03:42.483
Judaism, in a nutshell, might we suggest, is Rahmana liba bay, pure pristine motives and intentions to serve Hashem with all of our heart.

New to The Motivation Congregation?

Here are some great episodes to start with.

Exploring the Heart of Avodas Hashem: The Power of Intention

Listen On

Featured Episodes

Recent Episodes

New to The Motivation Congregation?