Tefillah Tips - Ahava Rabbah 5

The Chafetz Chaim asks, “What is the meaning of this phrase in our Tefillah? It is true that people get embarrassed, but after a while, we get over it. How could it be that a person could be embarrassed forever?”

He answers, “In this world it is true that embarrassment does not last forever, but in the next world, Olam Habah, it is indeed possible to remain forever embarrassed for misdeeds and wrongdoings that were done here in this world”.

Our lives are filled with choices and opportunities. One of the most painful feelings in life is when we make bad choices and waist opportunities. No one enjoys the feeling of, What could have been. Therefore we must secure that when we arrive to the next world we are also not faced with - What could have been?!

The Talmud tells of students who approached their Rebbe late in his life and asked for him to share some of his timeless wisdom. He responded, “One should be as concerned with what G-d thinks about him as much as how much people think about him”.

What wise words! We are so concerned with how we look, speak, sound, appear, come across in front of other people, we need to also be concerned how we look, speak, appear and come across in front of Hashem.

It is not just important to do Mitzvoth; it is also important how we do Mitzvoth. Do we do them with alacrity, with a smile, with exuberance and a sense of privilege?

May we live our lives in a way that will be pleasing to both humanity and G-d. May we be forever proud in this world and the next for our fine deeds and good character.

Shabbat Shalom Rabbi Ephraim Epstein