Conditional Pleasure
Rabbi Y. Oliver
Today, the 16th day of Iyar, is the day that the mon, the food that fell from Heaven while the Jews travelled in the desert, began to fall (in 2448).
It is written that the mon would taste like whatever one wished, no matter what that taste was. If one wanted it to taste like chocolate pudding, or vanilla ice-cream, or hot peppers, he would sense that taste. From bitter to sweet and everything in between, it all depended on what the person wished to feel.
But what if he did not desire any taste at all? It would seem that then the mon was tasteless.
Sometimes a person complains that he lacks geshmak, enjoyment in serving Hashem. He davvens, learn Nigleh and Chassidus, performs Mitzvos, attends farbrengens, sings Chassidishe melodies, hears stories of Tzaddikim, and is still apathetic. He then raises a kasheh (challenging question) that he feels is of awesomely earth-shattering importance: “But I’m not inspired!” Then the person starts doubting: “It’s not working out; maybe it’s not for me, and I need to look elsewhere.”
But in fact, the person has no one to blame but himself and his attitude. Serving Hashem is inspiring, and is able to create the most intense and fulfilling pleasure possible (see the aphorism of Reb Hillel Paritcher mentioned here). The real reason that none of these things are affecting him is simply that he doesn’t truly want them to.
When he genuinely desires and seeks inspiration, he will surely find it, for we have been assured that one who toils will find (Megillah 6b).
I trully liked it. It was short but effective and the essential was said. Thank you for this inspiring article!
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