LEAD TIDBIT
A Healthy and Helpful Perspective
[Note from Phil - This Lead Tibdit is not about Vayakhel or P'kudei, nor is it about HaChodesh (which probably surprises some regular TTreaders). And it's not about politics. It is about the next couple of weeks of preparation for Pesach. Several people asked me to share these ideas from a shiur I gave on Tuesday morning, with you, the TT family.]

The Chafetz Chayim points out the following in his Sefer HaMitzvot HaKatzar. There are things we do in our day-to-day lives that are the fulfillment of mitzvot, and we don't always realize that. Example. You take a taxi ride. Upon reaching your destination, you pay the fare. Simple. You have hired someone to perform a service for you and you have paid the person for that service at the accepted time to pay (end of the ride). Mitzva. You have fulfilled the mitzva of paying a laborer on time. B'YOMO TITEIN S'CHARO. And you probably didn't even think of it. Which is the Chafetz Chayim's point. Do think of it. Be aware that there is a mitzva to perform, have KAVANA to do the mitzva, and do it. You're going to do it anyway. But the quality of the performance is increased when you consciously do the mitzva. And, by the way, by paying on time, you have avoided the prohibition of delaying a laborer's wages. And that too is a mitzva. We have positive mitzvot to do and prohibitions not to do. Enhance the quality of your mitzvot - positive and prohibitions - by being aware and having KAVANA.

There are many more examples of this, but let's talk Pesach Prep. You tackle your food cabinet. This we'll eat up, this we'll get rid of, this can stay, this will be part of the sale of chametz. Wipe or wash down the shelves, repaper them (perhaps). Mitzvot involved: Ridding your house of Chametz. Avoiding eating of Chametz on Pesach. Avoiding eating foods containing chametz on Pesach. Avoiding possession of Chametz on Pesach. Avoiding possession of chametz on Pesach. (Not a typo - a double mitzva. Albeit prohibitions. Rigorous steps taken to avoid prohibitions are fulfillments of mitzvot. Pesach shop- ping. Every product that you pick up and examine for reliable hashgacha is a fulfillment of the mitzvot. So have KAVANA. And have a good attitude, because it isn't mere cleaning, it isn't just shopping. Your Pesach mitzvot come into play well before Matza, Hagada, 4 Cups, Hallel... at the Seder table. Do them all well, and may we be ZOCHEH to the GEULA SH'LEIMA.