יום ב Date: 3 Nisan, 5775 (3/23/15) – Kesuvos#49 {Eliezer}

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UPSIDE-DOWN FROWNS

[49b top] R’ Il’a quoting Reish Lakish quoting R’ Yehudah bar Chanina: In Usha, they decreed that a person must support his sons and daughters while they are minors. But if feeding children is a form of Tzedakah (charity), we may not force anyone to do so [since there is a reward of G-d’s blessings associated with it (see GM’ Chullin [110])]!?
Minchas Chinuch: The real way to get credit for the Mitzvah is to give Tzedakah with a smile on one’s face. Since when we force someone to do so they are not happy about it, there is no violation of the previously recorded rule.

D-E-ep Thoughts: Many times people are not happy about doing things (even Mitzvos) and want to just “get it over with.” Not only do they upset others around them and create a negative emotional feedback loop, but they may also completely miss the ‘credit’ that they were hoping for. We should always focus on serving G-d and others ‘BeSimcha’ (in happiness and joy) with huge smiles on our faces. We should not think, “I have to…” but rather I am privileged because, “I get to…”