לאהבה את ה' אלקיכם ולעבדו בכל לבבכם ובכל נפשכם וגו' (יא-יג)
MASHAL: When the Previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, R’ Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn ZT”L first arrived on these shores in 1940, he met fierce opposition to his efforts to strengthen and build Judaism in the United States. The opposition consisted of unsavory folks who just didn’t want the status quo disturbed by this European rabbi with the big vision.
One evening, an American rabbi and a reporter entered the Rebbe’s home and insisted on seeing him. The Rebbe let them in and the two made it clear that their purpose in coming was to protest his Jewish revival efforts and his leadership. “We had G-d without you here in the U.S.”
R’ Yosef Yitzchok responded: “We all have G-d and He gave us the Torah and 613 commandments. Whether or not I can do them all in my life, I do not know. But one thing is sure; what I am able to do, I do with all my heart and soul.
“People come to me with all sorts of problems, this one with a sick child; the other with a failing business. Now, a parent knows the best way to treat a child’s illness and a businessman knows the best business decision. I am neither doctor nor businessman! So why do they come? They come because when I pray for them and offer advice, they know I really mean the prayer and only have their good in mind with the advice. Whatever I do, I do with all my heart and soul.”
NIMSHAL: The true manner of Avodas Hashem, serving Hashem is to do it with one’s full heart and soul. Whether Torah study, prayer or charitable deeds, one must go “all out.” "רחמנא ליבא בעי" - Hashem wants our heart and soul - if we serve Him this way, He will gladly take us under His shelter.
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