Reward for Listening

The Talmud tells the story of the great Amora, Rav Yosef, who was blind. The subject of whether or not blind people are obligated to observe the Mitzvot or not, due to their handicap.

At first, Rav Yosef rejoiced when he heard the opinion that he was exempt. He thought that his observance would be welcome by G-d, as he was observing the Torah even though he was not commanded.

When he was told that there is much greater reward for the one commanded than that of one who is not commanded, he was sad. He now thought that his Torah observance would be flawed.

Later, he learned that blind people are likewise commanded according to another opinion. His joy returned as he was now able to fulfill the rabbinic dictum that said, “Greater is the one who is commanded, than the one who is not commanded.” This is because the commanded one is not observing because he likes it, but because he is fulfilling Hashem’s command.

Jared Kushner once said that he and Ivanka observe the Mitzvot that make sense to them. This is exactly the opposite of this principle mentioned.

This small lack of knowledge on the part of the Kushner’s has not prevented them from doing great things for the Jewish people. We must remember that it is our duty to fulfill the word of Hashem, whether we agree with it or not. Who are we to tell the Al-mighty that we don’t agree with his commandments?