In his book, Madregas HaAdam, the Alter of Novarodock (Rabbi Yosef Yozel Hurwitz) posed a question. Does engagement in community service detract from one’s own spiritual practice and growth? Here is his answer:
Rav Preida had a certain pupil who had to be taught a section 400 times before he understood it. One day Rav Preida taught his lesson after being summoned to attend to a matter of mitzvah, and the pupil could not master it. Upon being asked what the trouble was the latter replied: “From the time that the master was summoned to attend to a mitzvah, I have not been able to concentrate, thinking: Perhaps the master will go now… Perhaps he will go now.” Whereupon Rav Preida said: “Give me your attention and I will teach you again.” So saying, he taught him an additional 400 times, after which the pupil mastered the lesson.
Thereupon a Heavenly voice went forth to Rav Preida: “Would you rather that four hundred years be added to your life or that you and your generation merit the World to Come?” He answered: “I would rather that I and my generation merit the World to Come.” At this the Holy One Blessed be He pronounced: “Give him both.” (Eruvin 54b).
Considering all this, one is moved to wonder: “How could Rav Preida have sacrificed so much time on such a pupil? How is it that he gave no thought to his own spiritual progress?” The truth of the matter, however, is that it is you to whom the question should be addressed: Why do you regard this as sacrifice and wastefulness and loss to oneself? Do you not see that just the opposite is the case? That only through his forbearance and complete commitment did he attain to such a high level of Divine service and ennoblement of character?
By Rabbi Michael Skobac
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