Perseverance - not Brilliance...(adapted from Rabbi M. Bryski)
A few years back there was a young rabbi in Boston who founded a small congregation in the Boston suburb South Brookline. From the day he started up his synagogue, he was quite successful. He developed a strong following and quickly put his name on the map. Many often wondered wherein lay the key to his success and popularity. Upon meeting him, one really could not notice anything particularly remarkable about him.
A little while later, a picture of this young rabbi sitting and chatting with President Ronald Reagan in the Oval Office, accompanied by a write-up about how he was sharing the message of Chanukah with the president was featured in the newspaper. The story was carried nationally.
The curiosity of a local yeshiva student got the better of him and he was determined to find out how this young "shnook" was doing it. How was he able to accomplish all of these wonderful things? So he asked the rabbi.
The rabbi put it very simply: "It's because I want to. It's not about brilliance, eloquence and experience [though those things are certainly useful and important] as much as it is about persistence and performance."
He went on to say: "Look, I decided I had something to say to the president and that I wanted to meet with him, so I went out there and made it happen."
This week’s Torah Portion describes the workers who volunteered to construct a home for G‑d. The Torah states: "every man whose heart inspired him." These Israelites had absolutely no experience in this type of unique construction. What then made them qualified to carry it forth? The answer: Their "hearts inspired them." In other words, they had a desire. They were eager to do it. And by virtue of this desire and eagerness, they became qualified and rose to the occasion.
The keys to the success of any significant project are capability and motivation. Potential + perseverance = success. Now between the two, which is primary? Our sages teach us, "There is nothing that can stand in the way of one's genuine will and desire (ratzon)." Simply put, skill without will leaves one an underachiever, whereas drive and perseverance enables one to rise above one's shortcomings and achieve greatness.
When there is a call for action, it is not a time to talk about what you can do, but what you will do.
This is what G‑d wants to see from us. "Don't tell Me how talented or untalented you are," the Almighty says. "Just tell me what you're ready and willing to do, and let Me worry about the 'able' part."
We're taught that the most essential ingredient is not contemplation or analysis, but action. When we're presented with an opportunity to do a mitzvah, to become more observant or to get involved in a worthwhile endeavor, let us lighten up a bit on the philosophical introspection and self-examination and "Just do it!" It is not when we become spiritual that we can first decide to act spiritual. Indeed, it is only if we act spiritual that we can become spiritual.
I've seen it time and time again; it really is not about brilliance, eloquence and experience as much as it is about persistence, perseverance, and performance. In fact, I think I would like to have a conversation about this very issue with the President.
Let’s do a mitzvah today!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick
