There is a common saying that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. There are times when people have good intentions, but their execution strays.
We know that a person is not held accountable if he has thoughts of sinning and does not sin. We are also taught that those who have intent to do a good deed, and takes steps towards doing a good deed, but for some reason said good deed could not be completed, are rewarded for positive intent.
Learning daf yomi these days Masechet Zevachim/sacrifices, we have spent weeks now discussing Pigul. Pigul is eating the sacrificial meat beyond its permitted time. If at the time of the slaughtering of the animal meant for a sacrifice the donor of the sacrifice has thoughts of eating the meat beyond its permitted time, the thought itself invalidates the sacrifice.
We see here that the slaughtering is attached to the eating of the animal, they are inseparable. Why? Because unlike pagan ritual, Jewish will not erase a living being unless it is to elevate it and that it is to elevate the animal to dedicate certain parts to G-d, and it the rest for sustenance. To slaughter, merely to slaughter is no goal. On this issue, intent is everything.
Why is intent so strong with sacrifices? Because its taking an action which is meant to show dedication to G-d, and desecrating said action by having thoughts, at the very time of sacrifice, of sinning, of eating the meat beyond the permitted time. It is as if one goes to apologize to a friend for cheating on him, with thoughts of how to cheat him that very day. It is an abhorrent act.
After the temple was destroyed in Jerusalem, we substituted prayer for sacrifices. The carryover is intent. As we start our day, we pray to G-d for forgiveness and for our needs. We start our day with intent. Do we have the right intent to spend our day working within the confines of Torah laws. Being honest in our dealings in our charging fees and in our socializing with others? During Minchah, do we stop what we are in the middle of doing to thank G-d for a good day and with intent of continuing our day sanctifying G-d’s name in whatever we are doing? Are we looking at texts and emails while we daven. Are we dedicated to what we are saying, do we have the right kavanah/intent when davening, or does our mind stray to what we would like to be doing?
The kohen has to rise up to light the menorah in the temple. It should be our intent everyday to take the mundane and elevate it. There is a saying going around Facebook these days: “Be careful of your intent, for your intent becomes words, which become actions, which become habits, which become character, which becomes your destiny.”
Kavanah, intent. Sit with it.
Good Shabbos.
-Suri