Leviticus 25:17 warns against misleading others for personal gain. Rashi explains: “Lest you say, ‘Who knows my intentions?’—the Torah says, ‘You shall fear Hashem,’ for He knows the thoughts of man.” When intentions are hidden in the heart, the Torah reminds us to fear Hashem, who sees our intentions.
These sins may always remain secret from other people and might even bring social or financial benefit. Yet the Torah still holds us accountable.
Kiddushin 39b teaches that mitzvot generally bring no reward in this world, except for honoring parents, acts of kindness, hospitality, peacemaking, and Torah study. Rabbi Yaakov takes this further, stating that all reward is reserved for the World to Come.
The Gemara addresses the problem of divine justice. It explains that the righteous may suffer here so they can receive their full reward later—appearing as if they abandoned the Torah. The wicked, meanwhile, may prosper in this world only to forfeit everything in the next. This was the original “wheel of fortune.”
The Ritva explores this further. Rashi interprets “a good day and a bad day” to mean reward in the next world and suffering in this one to cleanse minor sins. Rabbeinu Tam disagrees. He says the “bad day” is limited to atoning for specific faults, while most of the person’s life remains good. That one painful day may feel like burning the Torah—but it clears the way to inherit eternal reward.
Still, the focus is on the present. We are meant to act here and now. Joel 2:13 says, “Rend your hearts and not your garments”—true change begins within, regardless of appearances or outcomes.
On the Mishnah in Ta’anit 2:2, Rabbi Joel Padowitz notes the paradox: only a broken heart can offer a complete prayer during a time of communal crisis.
Psalm 51 echoes this:
“The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.”
Here, the Psalmist uses the Divine Name that signifies justice—the One who demands an account. And yet, Hashem also promises not to reject the honest cries of a broken heart.
May we merit to take these matters of the heart seriously, doing mitzvot with sincerity, and may they hasten the coming of Moshiach and a world of peace, soon in our days.
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Source: Reditt
