Pesah- “You Shall Guard the Masot”
In presenting the Halachot relevant to the holiday of Pesah, the Torah instructs, "U’shmartem Et Ha’masot" – "You shall guard the Masot" (Shemot 12:17). Masa needs to be protected from becoming Hametz. Hametz and Masa are made from the same ingredients – flour and water – and the only difference between the two is time. Bread is made by allowing time for the dough to rise, while Masa is made quickly with special care and caution to ensure that the dough will not have the opportunity to ferment. The Torah therefore warns us to "guard" the flour and water during the baking process to ensure that the Masa does not become Hametz.
The Sages of the Talmud teach that the word "Masot" in this verse should actually be read as "Misvot." The Torah here commands us to "guard" not only the Masot, but all the Misvot. Our observance of each and every Misva should be characterized by the same care, zeal and attention that are required when baking Masot. Whenever we perform a Misva, we should do so with enthusiasm and fervor, just like the process of baking Masa.
The Zohar writes that as soon as a person begins doing a Misva, the "Kelipot," the powers of impurity, step in to try to thwart his efforts. Misva performance brings great sanctity and merit to a person, and therefore the forces of impurity work "overtime" to interfere with Misva performance. But we can overcome this interference, the Zohar writes, by performing the Misva with zeal and alacrity. If we get to it immediately, without delay – similar to the way Masot are baked, with energetic haste – then the Kedusha grows too quickly for the "Kelipot" to get in the way. The rush of holiness simply overwhelms the forces of impurity and foils their efforts.
I recall an incident when a group of people met with me to discuss a certain need in the community that required some fundraising. We sat and had a productive discussion, working out precisely how we would raise the money, deciding who would call whom, and so on. When the meeting ended, we decided we would reconvene the following Tuesday to follow up on the campaign. I realized, however, that this was an auspicious time, an opportunity that should not be wasted. We were all assembled and focused on the issue, working constructively together – this was the time to get things done. Before the meeting adjourned, I quickly picked up the phone and called one person on my list. I spoke to him for a few moments, explaining to him the great Misva that needed to be done, and in just several minutes he pledged $10,000.
I hung up the phone, and the people in the room asked me who I was speaking with. I told them that I was speaking to so-and-so who was on my list of people to call, and he pledged $10,000. They were astonished at how much money was raised in just a matter of minutes. Right there and then, everyone began making calls, and before we knew it, the entire project was completed, that same day.
This is a classic example of "U’shmartem Et Ha’misvot." As the Zohar teaches, we must push ahead with Misvot at full speed right away, without delay, before they can become "Hametz," before the forces of impurity can get to them. We "guard" the Misvot by getting to them immediately, rather than leaving them on the shelf. This will ensure their success and protect them from the harmful forces that seek to sabotage our efforts. Just as Masot are baked with zeal, care and intensity, similarly, we must approach all Misvot with the seriousness, attention and energy they deserve.
