CLD #761

In Masechet Avodah Zarah 38a, the Gemara teaches about Bishul Akum, or the prohibition for a Jewish person to eat food that was cooked by a non-Jew. The Rabbi at the Kol Achim Shiur in Great Neck tonight asked a question (every night 8:30-10:00pm followed by Arvit): if in the afternoon I placed a raw chicken in the oven and 10 minutes later the power went out. If a non-Jew has turned the power back on and with the electricity running the oven turns on, does that mean its as if the non-Jew cooked the raw chicken?

The answer was simple: if the non-Jew has the intention of cooking food then the food becomes prohibited to eat because it was cooked by a non-Jew. However, once a food is cooked, even directly without the intention of it to be cooked, then it is allowed to be eaten.

From this piece of Halacha we can learn a fundamental lesson of how to approach Avodat Hashem. Sometimes in our life we get used to a routine. In Judaism, everyday is another opportunity to reconnect with Hashem. However, it is indeed extremely easy to fall into the routine gestures of praying, blessing, etc. and forgetting to focus that everything is in Hashem's control. We simply begin to say Berachot (blessings) without thinking who we are blessing and for what reasons. We begin to pray just to fulfill the obligation. We just end up doing things without putting our heart into it.

The key of living with Hashem is to see every Mitzvah as another opportunity to greaten our relationship with Hashem and to get closer to be like Him. Just like we try to get closer to our loved ones and be with them by doing things for them, the same is with Hashem. The only difference is the commandment we are obligated to do is for our benefit and does not help Hashem whastoever. If Hashem is perfect, then why does He needs us to do anything for Him? It is clear that the Mitzvot are for our own benefit.

We can do it. We can accomplish a lifestyle that greatens the level of love we have for Hashem, because in the end of the day its all about the quality and intention behind what we do. Put your heart into it because only then you enter an entire new world of spiritual bliss.


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