The Torah says that we are rewarded for the Mitzvot that we perform. The question that we should be asking is, how come we don’t see those rewards?
This question is examined in this week’s Torah portion, Ki Teitzei, when it talks about not holding back wages from an employee. “If I have earned a reward,” asks the employee, “how can G-d, who promised us a reward, not pay up on time?”
There are many approaches that we can take to resolve this enigma. Today, I would like to share two perspectives.
1 - We are to be paid after the work is completed. Since our mission in this world is not completed until the day we die, we are not rewarded until then. Therefore, our reward is given to us in the world to come (i.e., after we die).
2 - Are we to be considered employees of G-d or partners? Employees must be paid on time, but partners continuously reinvest their shares into the company. If our role in this world is to partner with G-d, then we take all of our accomplishments and reinvest them in this world; our reward, therefore, will only come when Moshiach comes (i.e., the end of days).
What is interesting is that this Torah portion is read during the month of Elul, as we prepare for the High Holidays. During this month and during the holiday season we continuously ask G-d for blessings in this physical world. This leads us to conclude that at this time of year, we should put the philosophical explanations aside, and beseech G-d for blessings in this world now!
This is why we wish each other a happy and sweet New Year. We want these blessings now, in this world and in a very tangible way.
May you have a very sweet and blessed year.
Shabbat Shalom