5 Adar II, 5774 (3/7/14) – Sukkah#32 {Eliezer}

Based on R’ Shalom Rosner

Rashi: Mitzvos (like Lulav) are not given for their benefit. They are not intended to bring us physical pleasure. Rather, it is “service” to a king/master and has to be viewed as a “yolk around your neck.” You do get spiritual benefit in the world to come.
Rashi in Brachos: Do not make your Tefillah/Davening “set.” One explanation of “set,” rashi says is like a ‘yolk around your neck’ that you feel like you have to do.
R Soloveitchik: But Rashi contradicts himself in these two places?! Answer: Prayer is different (than all other Mitzvos) because you are completely MISSING the point of davening. Intention has to be totally different here. You are working (“Avodah”) to change yourself.

E’s lesson #1: Your DO get tons of physical benefits from doing Mitzvos in this world (ie: Kosher is health). But, the REASON something may be physically damaging is only BECAUSE it is spiritually impure! Reflect on your life physically to understand yourself spiritually.

E’s lesson#2: Make your prayers count. If you are not changing yourself through your prayer, it is not really Prayer/Avodah/work (by definition) at all.