Since the pandemic, one of the sustained changes I've noticed, has been a significant uptick in people running in my neighborhood. From early morning until late evening, it seems as if running has become increasingly popular.
The Mishna teaches that: “One should run to do a Mitzvah”. Running to do something expresses deep excitement. Some people ‘run’ to the game, others ‘run’ to work or to their favorite restaurant. But when it comes to supporting a community cause, going to Shul or to a Torah class, it may be much more difficult to schlep ourselves out of the house.
Just last night one guy said to me: “I don’t know how to get my children to be committed to Judaism like I am”. I asked him: “Do your children see you ‘running’ to do anything Jewish? Do you do Jewish with ‘Oy’ or do you do it with ‘Joy’?”
When you're running to do something, you're moving purposefully, with a sense of urgency and determination. It shows that you are willing to put in the effort to get there as quickly as possible. This kind of enthusiasm is contagious. When your children see you running towards that Mitzvah, they can sense your excitement and passion and they may even be inspired to follow your lead!
So the next time you are gearing up for a good cause, a Mitzvah opportunity or a Jewish experience, consider the fact that if you're going in that direction anyway, you may as well run towards it!