ח חשון - Cheshvan 8

Ches Cheshvan

The word mitzvah is related to tzavsa, meaning joining and connection.^[1] One who performs a mitzvah becomes joined with Atzmus (the Essence of G‑d), blessed be He, Who is the One commanding that command. This is the meaning of "the reward of a mitzvah is the mitzvah"^[2]: that he has become joined with Atzmus Or Ein Sof (the Essence of the infinite light), Who commands the command — that itself is his reward.

This can be understood through a physical analogy. A very simple person has an inner bittul toward wisdom and toward the stature of a sage — a bittul in which he takes up no place at all.

Likewise, in the sage's own perception, the simple person does not even enter the category of a human being — not that he belittles him and pushes him away, Heaven forbid, for that would be a bad trait — but in his eyes there is no relationship whatsoever between them.

Now, when the sage commands the simple person to do something for him, through this command the simple person's existence is born: both for himself — he feels that he exists, that he is able to fulfill the sage's command, and that the sage has commanded him to do something — and in the sage's eyes, where he is now regarded as a being to whom he speaks and gives commands. Beyond this, the command unites the lofty, exalted sage with the most simple person.

The application is understood. It is also understood that, in relation to the above, it makes no difference at all what the command is — whether something great and lofty, or something small and simple.