ACHIEVING THE MOST WITH OUR MITZVOHS

It has been a little over a year since I met Rabbi Daniel Garfinkle and discovered his work on the little-known and little-done halacha of מצוות צריכות כוונה--stating or thinking the simple intention before doing any mitzvah: "I am fulfilling the mitzvah of ____, as Hashem commanded." If we don't do this, he explained, we get at most b'd'eved schar (credit), if that.
What does this mean? Look at all the mitzvohs we do individually and in many different kinds of groups, from Yeshivas to shuls, Daf Yomi, shiurim, tehillim groups, etc. We devote and dedicate ourselves in so many ways and on so many levels to helping ourselves, our loved ones and Klal Yisroel through these beautiful thoughts and actions. BUT, if we don't fulfill the mitzvah and do the halacha of stating our intentions before doing them, we are NOT getting the full schar!  It's like writing a gorgeous, heartfelt letter to Hashem, then putting it in the mailbox without a stamp!
Following this to its logical conclusion, is it any surprise that, despite all our efforts, things aren't really as we would want them to be in so many ways? 
If we would only do this mitzvah of מצוות צריכות כוונה, might our efforts not be more effective or productive?
This line of reasoning is solely mine, but, think about it--it makes perfect sense!
The following happened in my Shabbos tehillim group. I told the women about doing this mitzvah, and one said "When I put on my long sleeve top in the heat, I will state my intention of fulfilling the mitzvah of tznius as Hashem commanded."
The following Shabbos the same woman told an amazing story. That week in Monsey an out of control car had run into two yeshiva boys who were standing on a corner, killing one of them R"L and injuring the other. She said that what was not known was that there were three boys standing on that corner. The third one was her son! He didn't get a scratch! Sometimes we are privileged to get a glimpse of the results of our strivings for Hashem. This was an awesome example.
I have made doing this mitzvah a priority since learning about it, and it has been a growth opportunity--remembering AFTER I finished doing the mitzvah or in the middle of doing it. Gradually, however, it has become more part of my routine, B"H (I am also asking Hashem's help, of course, to be able to achieve it :) 
What I have noticed is an interesting and rewarding positive shift in my life in many ways, for me and for my family, baruch Hashem. It is certainly "well worth the effort". I'm so encouraged that I'm now sending his cards out as well as Kavanah Kards.
Please check out and even print out the English and Hebrew and wording. On the Kavana of Mitzvohs page in the GALLERY there is more about Rabbi Garfinkle's card and the sefer on which it is based, including how to get it.
​What about you? What can YOU start doing, RIGHT NOW to help create positive change? One thing is to start doing this mitzvah whenever you can, and increase it as you are able. Why wait for the benefits--why not start now, and encourage others as well?
HATZLACHA!

English Card

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Hebrew Card

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