When it comes to performing a good deed, is it sufficient to 'just do it,' or is it also important to feel motivated and enthusiastic about it?
Giving away my hard-earned financial resources to someone in need can be challenging enough. Is it okay if I do so begrudgingly, as long as the deed is done? Similarly, is it enough to observe Jewish traditions, such as lighting Shabbat candles or wrapping Tefillin, simply because that’s what my mother, grandmother, or Zaydie did, or is it also necessary to find joy and personal satisfaction in these actions?
The answer, of course, is that both aspects are necessary.
On one hand, being committed to the values G-d asks us to live by, even when we’re not in the mood, is crucial because relying solely on our current level of interest can lead to a serious lack of consistency.
However, performing a deed merely out of obligation, without genuine enthusiasm, is inadequate and leaves our heart and mind disengaged. To truly embody our actions, we need to cultivate both an emotional and intellectual appreciation for what we do. When we do this, our entire being is involved, and we significantly increase the chances that our children and grandchildren will enthusiastically embrace these values too.
On the other hand, love alone is not sufficient. Love is often described as something one ‘falls into,’ but falling is not our goal, we strive to stand firm and steady in our relationships. What we need is loyalty and commitment.