Acharei Mot תרל”ב

When performing any mitzvah there are 2 different drives and reasons to do it
1) The reason why HaShem commanded us to do them, and
2) fulfilling the will of HaShem who commanded us to do the mitzvot.

The Sfas Emes proves that it is really the second reason that should be our primary motivation, whereas the reason for the mitzvos, are only why HaShem commanded us to them.

This was the issue the Torah takes to task with Nadav and Avihu, as it states they brought a korban “That was not commanded by HaShem”. The problem was not in the reason behind the korban, rather it was because HaShem did not command them to do it, there was a lack (on their high level) of the commitment to fulfilling the will of HaShem.

Therefore it is only through accepting the yoke of Heaven before performing a mitzvah that one is able to do it properly.

This is the idea of אשר יעשה האדם וחי בהם when performing a mitzvah elevates it to its root, and the source of all life. The pasuk is phrased in future tense יעשה – he will do, this is referring to a person’s state of prepardness to always do the will of HaShem in every situation that may arise.
By doing so one fulfills the pasuk : ושמרתם…וחי בהם, that the life force is constantly brought about through the guarding of the mitzvot.

2

The pasuk (Vayikra 18:5) You shall perform the mitzvot…and live by them.
This idea of doing mitzvot for reward is addressed in Pirkei Avot in apparently conflicting mishna’s. On one hand it states (Avot 1:3) “Do not serve like servants who serve to gain a reward – פרס…”. Yet it states (Avot 2:1) ‘Weigh about the loss of doing not performing a mitzvah versus its reward’. This implies that one must consider the reward one gains?

The Sfas Emes explains that the tre reward that we receive in the world to come is the idea of being completely subsumed and nullified to HaShem. This is the reason why it is called Olam Haba. The word Olam עולם is connected to the word העלם – hidden.
In Olam Haze the physical world we live in, the truth is completely hidden, because of the great amount of falsehood. Conversely the world to come, the falsehood is completely hidden due to the overwhelming amount of truth. Becoming a part of this truth is indeed the reward of the world to come.

The word used for ‘reward’ above (Avot 1:3) is פרס – literally a portion or piece. This therefore is the incorrect form of intention for one wants to have selfish gains for himself and be disconnected from the source of life, and it is therefore incorrect form of intention.