Question:
Hi,
I am working on inyonim of shmiras einayim. In the past I would have been tempted by minor things. bH I've worked myself up to the point where those things don't tempt me anymore, and it isn't much of a nisayon to look away. My question is, do I still get rewarded for those things like I did in the past? According to the principle of l'fum tzara agra, I should in theory receive less reward?
Thank you
Answer:
Hello,
Before addressing your question, please allow me to express my deep respect and admiration for you, and for what you have worked and grown. You will receive sechar, for the past work that you put in, not merely for the times that were hard, but also for what it will cause you to be able to handle future nisyonos easier. (See Michtav M’Eliyahu vol. 1 pg. 113, that it is included in what the Mishan says sechar mitzva mitzva, that a person who does a mitzva is not only rewaded for the actual mitzva that was done, but also, for what his positive action caused, which is that his level is now raised and it is easier for him to do the next mitzva).
Regarding your specific question, if you will get the less sechar, because now your nisayon is on a lower level, and now it isn’t difficult for you, this I don’t know. Let’s trust that HKB”H, the av horachamon, will give you the most sechar, that is coming to you. You’re in good hands.
Keep on growing.
Ashreicha weMa Toiv Chelkecho, and also Ashreinu for the people who have individuals like you in their midst. I read your questions and the answer with great interest. Even though I have nothing really to add, becasue who am I bichlal in the face of Torah greatness of the esteemd Poskin here.
I have heard (and this anecdotal) from Anshei Maaseih that a person will get used to a particular avoidah like shemiras Einayim and the Schar will be the same as when he had a big struggle. The logic that I was explained behind this is that you are now the person who you are right now because of the struggles that you have overcome in the past. So in every nisayon is the avoidah of that struggle manifest. So everytime it is going to be expression of your closeness to Hakodesh Boruch Hu through your nisyonois
And let just recap schar mitzvah is a mitzvah what I understood that you are getting beschar the siyata Dishmayah to withstand the next nisoyon.
A Chasiva Chasima Toiva, and yasher koach for your avoidah.
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