ב״ה
NOTE: Generally speaking, the Ratzon (desire) to serve Hashem is already in ourselves and need only be activated and revealed. Thus, the Alter Rebbe says, at the end of Chapter 18 in Tanya: “Even the most worthless of worthless and the sinners of Israel, in the majority of cases will sacrifice their lives “Al Kiddush Hashem’ (for the santctity of G-d’s name) and suffer harsh torture rather than deny the one G-d, although they be boors and illiterate and ignorant of G-d’s greatness….” this is because (as the Alter Rebbe states) a Jew doesn’t want to be, and can’t be separated from G-dliness” [See HaYom Yom, 25th of Tamuz]. This idea is also expressed in Halacha [Rambam, Laws of Divorce 2:20]: ‘A man who should divorce his wife, but refuses to do so, the Jewish Beit Din at any location and at any time, may beat him until he says ‘I want to give the divorce’…… and why is this divorce valid if he gave it aginst his will? The answer: since he wants to be part of The Jewish People, and his true desire is to do all the Mitzvas – but his Yetzer Hara has ovepowered him, therefore when beaten by the Beit Din and his Yetzer Hora becomes weakened, then his true desire surfaces when he says ‘I want to give the divorce’ – so we can accept it as valid.”
Specific things we can do to arouse our will:
- Listen to the Shofar’s 10 sounds in the month of Elul, to awaken and arouse the 10 powers of the soul.
- Sing (or listen to) NIGUNIM that arouse the soul to tshuva and corect behavior. 2 examples would be the “4 movements” (Bavos) of the Alter Rebbe, and the ‘Nigun for the arousal of great supernal compassion” (Rachamim Rabim) as called so by the Ba’al Shem Tov, and composed by his student Rebbe Yechiel Michel of Zlotchov. Before departing the Ba’al Shem Tov instructed his students to sing the nigun and said: “I promise, for all generations, that anyone who sings this nigun with an arousal and feeling of Tshuva, I will hear him wherever I may be ( since there are special angels that bring messages and tidings to the souls above) and consequently I will sing the nigun along with the person down below arousing great supernal compassion upon that person who’s doing Tshuva.” [ The Previous Rebbe, Sefer Hasichos התש״ג, pg. 169]
- Pray, asking Hashem to help arouse your desire. Example: In the blessing before Shma, in Shacharis, we say “Our Father, merciful Father who is compassionate, please have mercy on us and instil in our heart understanding to comprehend and discern, to pay attention, learn and teach, to observe, practice and fulfill lovingly all the teachings of Your Torah. Iluminate our eyes in your Torah, causing ou hearts to cleave to your commandments, and unify our hearts to love and fear Your Name”….
- Surround yourself with people who have the right desires in life. Their desire to serve Hashem and their enthusiasm in life can be contagious.
- Read books with stories that inspire, about people who overcame difficulties and tests in order to be observant.
- Praying at the gravesites of great Tsaddikim (like Maaras Hamachpela, Rashbi, Dovid Hamelech, etc) or at other Holy Sites, can arouse one’s inspiration and desire.
- Hiskashrus’- connection to the “thought, speech, and action” of a Tsaddik helps motivate and upgrade thought, speech and action. The Rebbe Rashab says specifically how to connect to the three: THOUGHT – by singing the nigunim which the Tsaddik composed or introduced, SPEECH – by learning the words of his Torah teachings. ACTION – by fulfilling his instructions -or-by telling over stories of his actions. The Rebbe Rayatz [sefer Hama’amarim התש״א, pg. 41] explains Similarly, that in the blessing ‘al hatsaddikim’ in the Shmone Esrei, we ask Hashem “and place ou portion with them, and may we never be ashamed”. ‘Our portion’ refers to the lower 3 levels of our soul: NEFESH, RUACH & NESHAMA, which can go astray in this world and be caught in darkness. But when we attach ‘our portion’ with “them”, namely that of the Tsaddikim, then their NEFESH, RUACH & NESHAMA illuminates ours, and automatically “may we never be ashamed”
- Meditate upon the type of love of Hashem described in Tanya chapter 46, based on the verse [in Mishlei 27:19]:” Just as the Face of a person is reflected back by looking into the water, sois the heart of one person reflected back to the other person (who shows him affection)” Thus by contemplating how much care and affection Hashem gives us on a regular basis, we should feel motivated to show Him our reciprocal love in return. This is related to our awareness of Hashgacha Protis (Divine Providence) in our lives as expressed in the very first halacha in the Shulchan Aruch: “A person should get up like a lion early in the day to serve his creator, being aware that the King of all Kings is standing over him… and this should prompt him to get up quickly to serve his Master.
- “Since the Beis Ha Mikdash was destroyed, there remains for Hakadosh Boruch Hu only the 4 cubits of halacha “[Gmara Brachos ba]. In other words, where does Hakadosh Boruch Hu reside primarily when there’s no Beis Ha Mikdash? Within The halachah . The Halachah is referred to as to the ‘inner will’ of Hashem. The more we study and fulfill halacha, the more we connect to (and reveal) His inner will in the world. This also helps us fulfill what it. says in Pirke Aves [2:4]: “Fulfill His will as if it were your own so that He may fulfill your will as if it were His own. Nullify your will before His will, so may nullify the will of others before your will.
- Have a ‘mashpia’ (mentor) to whom you report from time to time regarding your goals and progress in Avodas Hashem. No matter who the mashpia is, they are likely to be me more objective about your behavior than you are, and knowing that you will report to someone once a month (for example) will motivate you much more in life (as opposed to not having to report to anyone.