Thank G-d, because none of us know what G-d’s plans are, today was the first day of classes at Baruch College ‘HaKdosha.’ In Macroeconomics the professor, Dr. Malca, said as a joke something that really shook me up, especially because today is Rosh Chodesh Elul. He explained opportunity cost (for you following up on CLDs for months now, you can look in the past CLDs to see I have already spoke about this issue once before). Opportunity Cost is a term used in Economics to explain what someone loses when doing something else, for example going to college has an opportunity cost of working during those four years and receiving a full time job salary.
He explained that opportunity cost is relevant based on each person, meaning if someone is emotionally attached to a certain lifestyle he/she will do anything for that, no matter how much money someone gives them to change. He set as an example if someone offered a college student today $300,000 to work instead of going to college, then that student might leave college. However, if the condition was to work in Siberia instead of Jerusalem, then that person might decide differently. However, if someone is desperate and in need, they will do that job in Siberia. But what will they think to themselves in Siberia? I am getting $300,000 in 12 months. Then in 3 months, “I am getting $300,000 in 9 months.” And on and on until the check is given to the worker.
Judaism is exactly like this. However, it is all based on Emunah. When someone lives a life of true Yahadut he is above this example of $300,000. A real Jew does Mitzvot and follows in the way of Hashem based on the Torah HaKdosha because Hashem told him/her to. That’s it. There is no need to do Mitzvot and follow in the steps of Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov when one is doing it just for a reward (Olam Haba). However, those who are Ba’alei Tshuva who are slowly getting stronger in Avodat Hashem can go on the path of doing things for reward because eventually they will reach a point where they are doing it just because it is commanded upon them.
Since it is Elul, we need to understand we also get up (BH Thursday night until Yom Kippur) to say Selichot because Hashem tells us to and not because it will make our Rosh HaShanah better and more spiritual. Not because the father of the girl you want to date is at the Shul you say Selichot at or because there is a great breakfast after Tefillah! We need to understand there is a huge purpose for everything we do and we need to push ourselves in such a time where it is so EASY Lachzor B’Tshuva.
Selichot is in 2 days.
Rosh HaShanah is in 29 days.
Yom Kippur is in 39 days.
Are you ready?
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