Staying Focused on the Mission gives everyone the Chance
to Succeed in bringing Moshiach
By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
Last week we spoke about being able to live and thrive in today’s chaotic and challenging world without being effected and also having positive impact. This begins with us in our homes and communities and includes the world at large. Once we remove the narrow definitions that galus has placed upon us we are free to transform the world one deed at a time with the knowledge that every act makes a difference.
The Rebbe explains that the way this ‘being protected and being effective’ plays out in our daily lives revolves around: focus. Staying focused and engaged is the lynch pin of our daily success in serving Hashem. What is this focus and how do we do it? The Rebbe explains we accomplish this when we take a few minutes before davening to focus and to meditate on how Hashem stands above us and stares intently as it were on our conduct and sees the true substance of our daily intentions and behavior (Based on the pasuk; Henei Hashem nitzav alav etc., as explained in chapter 41 of the Tanya).
Hashem is not only looking to see if we make a bracha, but how we make that bracha. Hashem isn’t only looking to see if we daven but also how we daven. Hashem is looking through and through with all aspects of our lives understood and taken into consideration. He is looking directly into our kishkes to see if and how we take the time and energy to be focused and to direct ourselves, our mind and our will, our feelings and our thought speech and action toward Hashem and his Torah.
When we take this time to reflect and act according to the Rebbe’s guidance then we are in Eretz Yisroel because we have made our lives into Eretz Yisroel. We are then able to maintain this perspective of life, and bring with us this truth of life as we venture outside into the streets and engage in today’s environment. We are outside physically but inside we are focused with our eyes toward the Heichal (the Sanctuary) of Hashem.
Every day before my father left the house he would look at the two pictures hanging on the wall, one of the Previous Rebbe and one of the Rebbe. It was if he was saying to himself: “I am a Chosid and this, is my focus.”
When we are focused we come home and look to see how our children are doing. We can spend time with them and speak with them about their day and learn with them and tell them stories. It’s the only focus. The Internet or our smart phones don’t distract us; they can be put away. When we go to Shul we can be focused on davening. Then we are protected and effective. When our children see that their parents are focused on the most important things even after a long day of work it has a strong impact. They can see that even though they are tired and still have a lot to do they daven without distraction and learn Chitas without suddenly jumping to the buzz of a cell phone message and then they too are affected in their lives.
The Rebbe demonstrated this characteristic with each person he met with; his focus was on that person as if there was no one else in the world. Even business professionals understand the need for undisturbed focus. The Rebbe taught us and directed us that when we will strive, we will be successful.
With the month of Kislev approaching may we merit the immediate fulfillment of all of the effort of all the generations with the revelation of Moshaich now, and may we celebrate Yud Tes Kislev and Channuka together with Moshiach.
A Good Shabbos A Good Chodesh