New Tattered Shoes | Rabbi Zev Smith

Over the years, we've heard many stories, people in all walks of life, who had challenges in Shmiras Einayim and rose to the occasion and decided the right decision and were able to attribute their success to that wise investment. And to me, it wasn't surprising. It's really a Medrash in Devarim, where the Ribono shel Olam implores us, Listen to my words. You never ever lose by doing the right thing. And if that's true by all aspects of Yiddishkeit, how much more so when it comes to Shmiras Einayim. The incredible words of the Yerushalmi, The Ribono shel Olam says, If you give me your heart and your eyes, I know you're mine. I can’t explain exactly what that means, being the Ribono shel Olam’s, but I do know that I want that with every fiber of my being. To be the Ribono shel Olam’s? And today, we have so many different situations that tempt us to sometimes turn to the wrong avenue. Whether it's a question of Parnassah, a question of attending a show, a party, an investment, how to travel, where to go on vacation. And now the summer months are approaching, the Nisyonos are so much greater. If you look at them like challenges, it's daunting. If you look at them as opportunities, אנא ידע דאת לי then it's an offer you can't refuse. And we have to stand proud and say, I am part of the Vayimaen family, that has hundreds of eloquent testimonies, אין אדם שומע לי ומפסיד. We will never, ever, ever lose by doing the right thing. You know, the story is told of Yankele, a poor child, who used to work for the Rav to make some money. And his affinity was shoes. He had old torn, tattered shoes, but he would dream of buying a new pair of shoes. But the price was 20 ruble, way out of his budget. And one day, he's cleaning the Rav’s study and he sees in the desk there’s 20 ruble. And he's thinks: Wow, this is what I need. And he grabs the money in a moment of weakness and he buys the shoes. And he's wearing them and he feels like a million dollars. He never experienced such a euphoria like this. But then he said: What did I do? People are going to wonder: Where'd you get the money for the shoes? They’ll know I stole from the Rav. How could I do that? But he didn't know that the Rav collected money to be able to buy him new shoes. And he said: I have no choice. I have to scuff the shoe and make a tear here, a tear over there, so no one will know that I stole the money. The next time he came to the Rav’s house, the Rav looked at him, understood everything, and says: Yankele, Yankele, if only you would have waited, you could have had those shoes, shining with such beauty. That's the story of me and you. That's the story of life. The Ribono shel Olam sends us into this world with a Neshama that sparkles with Kedushah. The pure, pristine Neshama. And the Ribono shel Olam tells us, I'll give you everything you need. Keep your heart pure. Keep your eyes pure. You'll get everything בנחת, בהיתר. Let us remember that when we're faced with a challenge, with a decision, it's an opportunity that we could strengthen our bond with HaKadosh Baruch Hu, and enjoy the Bracha of אנא ידע דאת לי.