Hayom Yom 25 Iyar - The principal and fruits of a Mitzvah

The daily Hayom Yom with Rabbi Yosef Katzman

Day 40 of the Omer

מִמַּאֲמָרֵי רַבֵּנוּ הַזָּקֵן בִּשְׁנַת תקנ"ה בְּליאָזנאָ

The Alter Rebbe delivered the following maamar in Liozna in the year 5555 (1795):

שְׂכַר מִצְוָה מִצְוָה

“The reward for a mitzvah is a mitzvah.”

הַמִּצְוָה בְּעֶצֶם עַצְמוּתָהּ הִיא הַשָּׂכָר

The very essence of the mitzvah is itself the reward for the mitzvah.

וְהִתְגַלּוּת הָעַצְמוּת תִּהְיֶה לֶעָתִיד

This essence will be revealed in the Ultimate Future.

אֲבָל זֶהוּ הַקֶּרֶן קַיֶּמֶת שֶׁל הַמִּצְוָה

That is [only] the principal of the mitzvah, which is preserved [for the future].

אָמְנָם פֵּירוֹתֶיהָ אָדָם אוֹכֵל בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה

However, the fruits of the mitzvah (i.e., its side benefits) are enjoyed by a person in This World.

וְהוּא בְּכָל מִצְוָה וּמִצְוָה בְּעִנְיָנָהּ

[This applies] to every mitzvah, each in its own way.

דְכַאֲשֶׁר צָרִיךְ לְאוֹתוֹ דָּבָר הוּא נַעֲנֶה

When [the person who fulfills the mitzvah] needs its particular influence, he receives it.

Text and Translation courtesy of Sichos in English

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