יום ד Date: 24 Av, 5774 (8/20/14) – MoedKatan#9 {Eliezer}

SAVING UP ‘TIL LATER

[9a bottom] (R’ Shimon ben Yochai’s son heard) R’ Yonasan ben Asmai and R’ Yehudah ben Geirim discussing: One verse states to analyze Mitzvos [Rashi: which ones are bigger vs. smaller and do the greater ones], and another verse says just to do the one immediately present at a moment in time (without analyzing its value). Therefore, if OTHERS are able to do the smaller good deeds, one should take on the greater one him/herself, but if only one individual is available, the most immediate Mitzvah should be addressed.
Chacham Tzvi quoting Radvaz (explained by R’ Rosner): One must take a ‘short term’ view of Mitzvos (do not try to “save up” for big Mitzvos) and act on what you are able to right now.

E’s Lesson: We should always take care to accomplish what we can in the present. We are taught to “live each day as if it were our last.” Every precious moment we are granted as a gift from Hashem and we should infuse it with Holiness to the max. We should all be Marvelous Middos and Mitzvah Machines, and crank out tomorrow’s brilliant future, today.