Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Attitude can make every day a thanks giving day TB Pesakhim 4

Today's daf TB Pesakhim 3 teaches us that our attitude determines whether a mitzvah is a burden or a delight.

A dilemma was raised before the Sages: With regard to one who lets a house to another for Passover, with the presumptive status that it was searched, and the lessee discovered that it was not searched, what is the halakha? Is it considered a mistaken transaction, and the renter can abrogate the deal, claiming that he agreed on the basis of his belief that the property had already been searched? Or no, it is not considered a mistaken transaction?

The Gemara suggests: Come and hear a resolution to this dilemma, as Abaye said: Needless to say, that in a place where people typically do not pay a wage and hire others to conduct the search for leaven and everyone searches himself, a person prefers to fulfill the mitzva himself. However, even in a place where people pay a wage and have others search for leaven, it is not a mistaken transaction due to the fact that a person prefers to perform the mitzva with his own money. Consequently, it is not considered a mistaken transaction, as a person does not object to having to perform a mitzva.” (Sefaria.org translation)

The question is clear. If in the renter’s agreement the owner agrees to search the house for hametz and doesn't, the agreement stands and is not abrogated. In either case where the custom of searching for the hametz is accomplished by the owner of the house or outsourced to other people and the house was not searched for hametz, the renter’s reaction teaches us how important our attitude is. He is happy that he has been given the opportunity to observe this mitzvah.

A person was one speaking to a blind boy. He asked him "Doesn't being blind color your attitude? " The boy responded, "Yes it does, but I get to choose the color." As we journey through life, we are able to choose our attitude in every situation that confronts us. Whether we see observing the mitzvot as a burden or not solely depends upon us. How do we serve the Lord with joy? Just like that renter on today's daf, when given the opportunity to fulfill a mitzvah, we are happy that our good fortune and run to observe it.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Our attitude will determine whether every day is a thanks giving day. 

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