Mitzvot Are Like Diamonds: A Powerful Perspective

The late Rabbi Aryeh Shechter used to describe mitzvot in a vivid and inspiring way. “Mitzvot are opportunities to collect diamonds,” he would say. “We should look forward to them and actively seek them out.”

Even when a mitzvah feels difficult or inconvenient, he explained, it is still a chance to gain something precious. For example, coming home is not always easy. There may be tension, disagreements, or challenges within the family. But even in those moments, there is an opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of honoring parents.

When Responsibility Feels Like a Burden

Rabbi Shechter often encountered people caring for aging parents. In many cases, one child would feel that most of the responsibility had fallen on them, leading to frustration and resentment toward siblings who seemed less involved.

His response was simple but powerful.

“It all depends on the glasses you wear,” he would say.

The Story of the Water Carrier

To explain, Rabbi Shechter shared a story.

Before modern plumbing, people relied on water carriers who would draw water from the river and deliver it from house to house. It was exhausting work. They would bend down to fill heavy buckets, carry them over long distances, and sometimes climb stairs to reach upper floors.

One day, a man saw Yaakov, an elderly water carrier, struggling along, sighing under the weight of his load.

“Yaakov, what’s wrong?” he asked.

Yaakov replied, “My situation is terrible. At my age, I still have to bend down, draw water, carry these heavy buckets, and go from house to house. It’s painful and exhausting.”

The next day, the man saw Yaakov again. This time, he was walking with the same buckets, but smiling and even humming.

“Yaakov, how are you today?” he asked.

Yaakov answered with joy, “Baruch Hashem! At my age, I can still bend down, draw water, carry a heavy load, and provide for the townspeople. What a blessing!”

What Changed?

Rabbi Shechter would ask, “What changed? The work was exactly the same.”

And then he would answer:

“He simply changed his perspective. He replaced dark glasses with brighter ones.”

The Power of Perspective

When a person sees life through the lens of faith and recognizes that everything comes from Hashem, their entire experience can change.

As our Sages teach, everything Hashem does is ultimately for the good. When we internalize that idea, even difficult situations can feel lighter, calmer, and more meaningful.

Turning Challenges Into Opportunities

Rabbi Shechter emphasized that no one seeks out challenges. But when they come, we have a choice in how we respond.

Imagine inheriting a diamond mine, he said, where each sibling takes turns digging, and whatever is found belongs to the one digging that day. If your siblings offered you their turns, would you feel burdened or grateful?

With the right perspective, honoring parents becomes exactly that—a diamond mine. Every act of care, every effort, is a chance to gather something of lasting value.

A Life Filled With Mitzvot

We are given countless opportunities to do mitzvot every day. Rabbi Shechter compared it to a store full of treasures. While other nations were given a small number of commandments, the Jewish people were given a vast and rich collection.

This is something to appreciate and even celebrate.

Each mitzvah is another opportunity. Another diamond.