One day the Hasidim asked their rebbe, Elimelech of Lizensk, if he was sure that he had a place in the World to Come.
- What doubts can there be!? - he answered without the slightest hesitation.
- Where does such confidence come from, Rabbi?
- Having died in this world, we will appear before the heavenly court, and the divine judges will ask about the Torah, avoda and mitzvos (Written and Oral Law, morning, noon and evening prayer, commandments given by God). If you answer these questions properly, you will enter the World to Come.
- And you know these questions, rebbe? - asked the students.
- Yes.
- And do you know how to answer?
- Yes.
- And will you tell us the answers?
— The questions are the same for everyone. And everyone must answer in their own way. But I can tell you what I intend to tell the judges. They will ask: “Rebbe, have you studied Torah as well as you could?” I will answer honestly: “No.” Then they will ask: “Rebbe, have you completely surrendered to God in prayer?” And I will answer honestly again: “No.” And for the third time they will ask: “Did you keep mitzvos and do good deeds whenever possible?” Of course, I will answer: “No.” And then they will say to me: “Well, it turns out that you are not lying. And for this alone, welcome to the World to Come.”
Commentary by Rami Shapiro Are we to conclude that Rebbe Elimelech neglected Torah study, prayed carelessly, and did not keep the commandments? Not at all. Yes, he understood that he had never done this to his full potential. The realization of this fact could plunge him into despair. He might consider himself unworthy of Heaven and indulge in self-abasement. And thereby he would admit that heavenly bliss can be earned and that he simply failed to do it. But Rabbi Elimelech thought differently: it is impossible to earn heavenly bliss. All you can do is be honest with yourself, don’t hide the truth from yourself.
Rebbe Elimelech knew well the meaning of the word daivnu - “enough.” There is always at least one unread page of the Talmud; you can dive even deeper into prayer; plan and accomplish another good deed. However, we are not able to do everything at once. All a person can do is do enough. But who will tell you that you have done enough? Only yourself. And the example of Rabbi Elimilech gives a hint. He answers the questions of the heavenly judges without false regrets. He doesn’t deny anything or make excuses—he simply accepts his shortcomings. If you are able to do the same, then you have achieved dayenu. Wouldn't this serve as an excuse for laziness and even immorality? Looking for excuses means not accepting the situation as it is. If your claims to dayena are unreasonable—that is, you have not done your best under the circumstances—then you lack honesty, humility, and kindness. And without them, the path is lost - both in this world and in the Hereafter.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru