Alacrity and Enthusiasm

There is an old joke about a Jew about to be executed by a firing squad. They offer him a final request to choose his favorite food before his execution. The Jew says that he would like strawberries. They tell him that strawberries won’t be in season for at least six months. The clever Jew answers, “I’ll wait!”

Contrast this little story with Moshe Rabbeinu. He is told that he has one final task to fulfill, before it is time to leave this world. He is to take revenge against Midyon, by waging war with them.

Moshe does not hesitate and musters up an army of 12,000 to fulfill Hashem’s command. The people are also aware that they may be soon saying good-by to their great leader. They do hesitate and consider delaying the battle so that they can be with Moshe a little longer. Moshe convinces them that they must follow Hashem’s wishes. They win the war decisively where not even one Jewish soldier is killed.

We are urged to fulfill the commandments of the Torah with alacrity and enthusiasm. When there is a Mitzva to be performed, it should be done without hesitation.

The Rabbis tell us that we should repent one day before we die. This means that we must repent right now, for we do not know what tomorrow will bring.

The Mussar books speak of laziness as one of the greatest impediments towards accomplishing our goals. Moshe Rabbeinu did not ask for strawberries when he knew his death was near. He set the example of fulfilling Hashem’s wishes without delay or hesitation.