LESSON 3
By Rabbi
The Power of Will Power:
How to Gain Control of Yourself and Take Control of Your Life
Introduction
Have you ever dreamed of making it big? Have you ever desired to become extremely successful? If you’re like the majority of people, the answer is a resounding YES!!! So why is it that if so many people dream of making it big, only a handful actually do so? Let us explore the teachings and wisdom of the Mishna and discover how “The Power of Will Power” can help put us firmly on the road to success.
Text of Mishna
3. “Antignos, leader of Socho, received the tradition from Shimon the Righteous. He used to say: ‘Be not like servants who serve their master for the sake of receiving a reward; instead be like servants who serve their master not for the sake of receiving a reward. And let the fear of Heaven be upon you.’”
4. “Yose ben Yoezer, leader of Tz’eradeh, and Yose ben of Yochanan, leader of Jerusalem, received the tradition from them. Yose ben Yoezer says: ‘Let your house be a meeting place for sages; sit in the dust of their feet; and drink in their words thirstily.’”
Quick Questions
- Why does the Mishna use the analogy of servants? Why not just simply state: “Do not serve the master on condition of receiving a reward, but rather serve the master not on condition of receiving a reward”?
- What is wrong with serving G-d for the purpose of receiving a reward?
- Can one still be considered righteous if he/she serves G-d in order to receive a reward?
Key Commentaries
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“The explanation of the Mishna is that surely the main service of G-d is to serve Him based on total love, and if a person serves G-d with thoughts of receiving reward this type of service is not the ideal type of service. Nevertheless, even if a person serves G-d in order to receive the reward that indeed will be coming to him, he is still a perfectly righteous person…. but the highest level of serving G-d out of total love, one does not acquire if he serves on condition of receiving a reward.” (Maharal)
“It is significant that the Mishna does not entirely eliminate the possibility of performing mitzvos in order to obtain a reward. It does not state ‘do not serve G-d with the intent of receiving a reward’; rather it says ‘be not like servants who seek a reward’. In other words, the Mishna is proposing an ideal form of Divine service performed for its own sake. However, it is perfectly acceptable, as an interim measure, to serve G-d with the intention of receiving a reward. Rather than merely stating ‘do not serve Hashem with the intention of receiving a reward’, it says ‘do not act as servants who seek a reward’, implying that the sole justification for our existence and our primary objective in life is to serve G-d.” (Sfas Emes)
To summarize, while it is true that the primary objective and ultimate goal is to serve G-d with total love and devotion – devoid of any ulterior motives – nevertheless, one is absolutely permitted to serve G-d for the sake of receiving reward. Additionally, one could, and should, use the reward incentive as a means of motivation until he is able to transition himself to a higher level of serving G-d, out of total devotion and love.
The Mishna uses the analogy of a servant in order to emphasize the point that just as a servant is focused on his work objectives, so too we should be similarly focused on fulfilling our life’s mission.
Practical Applications
The Talmud says (Pesachim 8a) that if one does the mitzvah of donating to charity with the expressed intent that in the merit of the good deed their sick child should be healed, such a person is perfectly righteous. The commentaries note that this seems to contradict what our Mishna teaches: that one should do good deeds without any consideration of reward or benefit. Rabbeinu Nissim answers that the Mishna is describing the ideal pious intent, but that doesn’t mean to say that one who performs the mitzvah with an expectation of reward or benefit isn’t completely righteous.
John and Al are business associates, as well as close friends. They are also fairly competitive and enjoy challenging themselves and each other. They are both overweight and have unsuccessfully tried many diet programs. They come up with the following challenge: whoever loses more weight over the next 30 days has to treat the other to dinner (low carb, of course!) and box seat tickets to the next ballgame. Both John and Al wind up winning, as they both lose more weight than ever before. What is the secret to their success? What enables them to maximize their willpower this time, where in the past they failed?
Utilizing incentives and motivational tools provides the inner stamina needed to maintain our willpower, and thus achieve our ultimate goals.
Resolution
I will focus on a goal that is important to me, and figure out what will be my best incentive toward achieving it, thus strengthening my willpower and resolve to see it through to the end.
Review Questions
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If I were to write an outline entitled “steps to follow for success,” what would they be? What component is contained within our Mishna? How is this point used in our Mishna?
Points to Ponder
Many people are involved in relationships that are strained, whether husband/wife, parent/child, or just ordinary friendships. If someone wanted to go about improving the relationship, what incentives would you suggest they use as a means of fortifying their resolve to succeed?
