“I am always so impressed how nicely you do mitzvos. Your Bar Mitzva was just right, and your weddings were perfect. When that Rosh Yeshiva came from Israel you really made him feel at home. But I never understood why when it came to paying your children’s tuition, you always try your best to avoid it!!”

When the Torah says “This is my G-d, and I will glorify Him” (Shemos 15:2). The Gomorrah (Shabbbos 133b) says it refers to glorifying mitzvos as we do them, since this glorifies G-d. People have special cups for ritually washing their hands, beautiful Esrog boxes, Kiddush cups etc. Sometimes we forget that paying tuition, giving charity, or paying any money that we owe is a mitzva. When we have an opportunity to do a mitzva, make sure we glorify G-d.

There is a silversmith in Yerushalayim who makes everyone who pays him for his work, say “I am hereby fulfilling the mitzva of paying for work done for me.”

Have a great Shabbos!!

Rabbi Chaim Flom

Text Copyright © 2008 by Rabbi Chaim Flom and Torah.org