עברית
Feel Like Your Time Is Going Up in Smoke? You Owe Yourself This
What can motivate us to use our time well? What will move us to do what we really want to do? Here are a few words to strengthen you, along with all the recommended videos and articles.
(Photo: Shutterstock)Feeling like laziness has taken over lately? Has the couch become your best friend? Want to invest in Torah learning and mitzvot, but the day burns up on work, errands, and chores? Here are the strengthening, wake-up words of the Chafetz Chaim for you:
"A person descended into this world, which is the place where he can gather Torah and good deeds, and through them merit the life of the World to Come. Behold, the industrious and diligent person throws all his strength into acquiring abundant Torah and good deeds, and he will not waste even a single day on idleness, for who knows the measure of his days, how many they are.
And the lazy person does not worry about what will be at the end of his days, when he will be called to judgment, and he does not set his heart to the loss of his days that are passing in vain. In truth, it was in his power to gain as well, and even if Hashem did not endow him with talents to achieve great amounts of Torah and good deeds, he still had it in his hand to join some Torah class; through that he would also gain much and would not arrive empty-handed on the Day of Judgment.
And behold, when in the future he comes before the Heavenly Court and is called to account for not having studied Torah, he will be held up to scorn and ridicule above, for he was in a place where it was easy to gain Torah and good deeds, as much as was within his ability. They will say to him: ‘So-and-so and so-and-so from your town—you grew up together. So-and-so acquired great Torah and many good deeds and is considered there (in the World to Come) a very wealthy man, while you arrived empty-handed. See how much your laziness cost you!’
And if he begins to excuse himself with various pretexts—let it be that they would be accepted and he would not be mocked—nevertheless, in the end he is poor; by what will he merit to be bound in the bundle of life?" (Likkutei Amarim, chapter 4)
King Solomon, the wisest of men, tells us: "Go to the ant, sluggard; observe its ways and grow wise" (Proverbs 6:6). The idea is that alacrity flows from wisdom: a wise person understands the value of time, so he doesn’t sit idle. He uses his time for actions that will accompany him into his eternal spiritual life.
Recommended Reads:
Time is the most precious resource we have. How do we use it properly in this world?
Does it really matter to Hashem how I spend my time?
"I’m bored. How do I pass the time?"
Sleeping 15 hours on a day off from school—why not, actually?
The trait of zeal in Judaism: everything you wanted to know
Ask the rabbi: How do you work on the trait of laziness?
The trait of laziness—result of low self-esteem. Don’t miss the mitzvot
Recommended Videos:
Isn’t your time too valuable? Rabbi Zamir Cohen shares excellent advice that will do you good in this world and the next. Watch:
Rabbi Yitzchak Fanger — Laziness? Not in our school:
"One day I’ll change" — so what are you waiting for? Rabbi Zamir Cohen with a short message, drawing on the wisdom of King Solomon, about the trait of laziness:
Procrastination exacts a very heavy price. How do you deal with it? In an enlightening lecture, Rabbi Eyal Unger offers tools for a life of action and efficiency:
Why is it human nature to be lazy? How do we let the spirit and the soul rule the body? Here’s the path to becoming energetic and swift:
What is the enormous importance of zeal in serving Hashem and in life in general? And what’s the difference between the trait of zeal and the trait of caution? Rabbi Reuven Zakai on the virtue of zeal:
