Questions for today:
It’s one thing to “be rewarded” for doing good work. But if I look for what I accomplished, where will I see that?
We have been describing the impact that our physical actions have in the world. Our physical actions increase the revelation of the Creator, here in our world.
To take it to the next step, let’s discuss the concept of reward. If we view reward as a prize, then the deed done and the reward given are not connected in any direct way. For example, I throw a ball into a basket, and I get a teddy bear. The teddy bear has no relation to the act of throwing the ball.
In contrast, our reward for doing mitzvos works differently. Our reward is not only connected to the performed action, but it is a direct consequence of the action.
When I build a house or learn information, the house in which I live or the knowledge that I have gained is not a prize. They are the culmination of my work and direct results of my efforts.
When we use the physical world to do mitzvos, we take every single aspect of physicality and reveal the Creator inside of it - the revelation of the Creator is a direct result of my actions.
For example, we use the minerals of the world to give charity, vegetation to make a succah, and animal skins to make Torah, tefillin, and mezuzos.
The culmination of these mitzvos will be the complete revelation of the Creator, without any coverings, in the era of Mashiach. This revelation is not a prize; it's a direct consequence of our accomplishments.
Tanya book 1, ch 37, Pt 1
The impact of our physical actions are not just great- they are monumental.
Through our physical action, we reveal the G-dliness in mineral, vegetation, animal, and human.
We affect the end goal: We can bring about the messianic revelation, when the Creator will be fully revealed in this world.
Study today’s Tanya in full:
https://www.chabadmed.com/dailystudy/tanya.asp?tdate=3/15/2022
See today’s video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi545fhn8lU&list=PLFZQPK6u-zSBls9Hwx3P5vKIBRnjBvHe&index=94