“Aharon did so…” (Bamidbar 8:3)
Hashem commanded Moshe to instruct Aharon to light the Menorah. The Torah then states: “Aharon did so… As Hashem commanded Moshe.” On this pasuk Rashi comments: “This is to tell the praise of Aharon that he did not change.” The Torah praises Aharon for not acting differently from Hashem’s instructions. Why would we assume otherwise? Of course, Aharon followed Hashem’s instructions!
The Sfas Emes answers that usually when a person starts something new, he feels very enthusiastic about what he is doing. He is excited about the good that he is doing and feels very motivated. After some time passes, the enthusiasm and excitement wane. This was not the case with Aharon. Aharon began his duties in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) with fervent devotion and maintained that devotion throughout the years of service. Aharon’s enthusiasm for serving Hashem never changed. It was always done with the same joy and excitement. That is what Rashi is teaching us – Aharon never changed his original enthusiasm!
To accomplish anything, one must master the ability to sustain enthusiasm. The more enthusiastic one is, the more motivated one will be to continue. We should always focus on the value of what we (Continued on page 2) are doing and view it as if it is the first time. Perhaps one way to maintain this consistent devotion is for us to bear in mind that by doing mitzvos we are performing the will of Hashem. We should not act according to the Torah to gain a reward. If we do, we may be disappointed if the reward does not come immediately. Rather, we should perform mitzvos for the reason Moshe and Aharon did – because Hashem wants it. (Avodah Zarah 19a)
The Vilna Gaon was one who adopted this attitude. He was known to be especially particular about finding the perfect lulavim (palm branch)and esrogim (citron)for Sukkos. One year many messengers were sent to find a perfect set, but they returned empty-handed. One messenger though, came back to report that he had found a beautiful set.
The only problem was that the set was in the possession of a certain man who refused to sell it. When the man found out that the lulav and esrog were to be used by the great Vilna Gaon, he changed his mind. The man told the messenger “I will sell it to you on one condition, that when the Vilna Gaon uses this set, I will get the reward for the mitzvah.”
When the Vilna Gaon heard this, he smiled, and said, “May Hashem be thanked for arranging matters in this way. Now I can finally fulfill one of Hashem’s commandments without receiving a reward for doing so. Now I can do the mitzvah just for the sake of obeying Hashem!” We should all aspire to do as many mitzvos as we can, for the sake of serving Hashem.[1]
[1] Based off Growth Through Torah and Lilmod Ulelamed
