Measuring Ourselves by Effort vs Achievement: Hillel's Teaching on True Success

Full Summary

This shiur presents a profound analysis of a Mishnah (משנה) in Pirkei Avos where Hillel states: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" Rabbi Zweig begins by examining a puzzling Rambam (רמב"ם) in Hilchot Teshuvah who lists 24 things that make repentance difficult, including one who mocks mitzvot - not because of the mocking itself, but because it leads to not pursuing mitzvot enthusiastically. The Rambam's formulation suggests that lack of enthusiasm (not running after mitzvot) is actually worse than mocking them. The core insight emerges through Rabbi Zweig's explanation that most people incorrectly measure themselves by their achievements - wealth, intelligence, professional success, or even Torah (תורה) scholarship. However, these are largely gifts from God, not true measures of human worth. The only authentic measure of a person is their effort, their work product, because that alone is truly theirs. Everything else - IQ, natural talents, inherited wealth - comes from God or others. This explains Hillel's teaching: "If I am not for myself" means if I don't put in my own effort, no one else's efforts can substitute for mine. Rashi (רש"י) explains this refers to mitzvot - others cannot perform mitzvot for you. "When I am for myself, what am I?" refers to the humbling realization that when measuring ourselves properly (by effort rather than results), we often fall short of our potential. The connection to "if not now, when?" becomes clear through the psychology of procrastination. When people procrastinate on tasks that benefit them, it reveals they're focused on results rather than process. Someone who truly values effort and growth doesn't procrastinate because they find fulfillment in the work itself, not just the outcome. Rabbi Zweig illustrates this with the Midrash about the ant that King Solomon recommends to lazy people. The ant's lesson isn't just industriousness, but integrity - when an ant finds grain dropped by another ant, it won't take it despite having no supervisor watching. The ant values its own effort and won't live off another's work. This philosophy explains true humility (anavah). Moshe Rabbenu was the most humble person despite his tremendous accomplishments because he measured himself against his own potential rather than comparing himself to others. A truly humble person asks: "Am I doing the best I can with what God gave me?" The Talmud (תלמוד)'s teaching that Torah, good deeds, prayer, and even worldly work all need "strengthening" (chizuk) means we must put our full effort into whatever we do. This isn't workaholism but intelligent, efficient, enthusiastic engagement. Rabbi Zweig concludes that this perspective revolutionizes how we raise children - measuring them against their own abilities and efforts rather than external comparisons, leading to healthier, happier individuals who find genuine fulfillment in personal growth rather than relative achievement.