Challenge Seeker

A Jew is commanded to serve G-d “with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might.” If so, one might ask, shouldn’t one always strive for the way that requires the most effort possible?

We can answer this with a story: When the Tzemach Tzedek was a youth, his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe, offered to grant him some Torah learning. The Tzemach Tzedek declined the offer, saying, “I would rather attain it through my own toil.” Later, the Tzemach Tzedek lamented: “I should have accepted the gift. As far as my concern about toiling in Torah — Torah is infinite, so as much as he would have given me, there would always be room to toil more!”

There is no purpose in seeking out ways to complicate Torah study and Mitzvah observance… Quite the contrary: One should ask G-d’s help to achieve true spiritual growth in the easiest way possible. And whatever one gains without toil, can be added to with more toil!