Attitude of Joy | Rabbi Motta Frank

As in any holy matter, there is a difference if a person performs the Mitzvah out of habit or out of fear of God, out of coercion, out of a feeling that he has no choice, which is also important, but is certainly completely different if a person performs a Mitzvah out of joy, out of love, willingly. So just like in any other matter, most certainly this is true in the matter of guarding the eyes. Guarding the eyes, however one observes it it’ll be fine, it’s good. He grabs a Mitzvah. But it is completely different when a person guards his eyes out of great joy, out of great love, that he understands and believes that each and every time he guards his eyes, he is bringing pleasure to God. Each and every time he closes his eyes from seeing something inappropriate, it benefits his soul, it causes his soul to come closer to the Creator. Meaning, he’s not doing it - I have no choice. What can I do? There are beautiful things in the world, and I’m losing out. Poor me. No. Okay, fine. If he guards his eyes this way, it’s fine, it’s also good, because he grabbed the Mitzvah of guarding the eyes. But when he guards his eyes, thinking, How lucky I am. I am now bringing pleasure to the Creator of all the worlds. I have a Nisayon to look at something inappropriate, and I’m closing my eyes. Ribono shel Olam, here, I am doing it because You commanded me, and I’m happy, I am doing it with great joy that I now merit to perform a positive commandment from the Torah of guarding my eyes, and I am not damaging them. That is an entirely different merit. It is something that brings blessing, the powers of this guarding of the eyes, the Segulos of this guarding of the eyes, the virtues of this guarding of the eyes, are entirely different. Therefore, every time that guarding of the eyes is being discussed, it is worthwhile to remember, Guard your eyes out of great joy.