This is my G-d and I will exalt Him (Shemos 15:2)

How do we exalt G-d? This verse teaches us that when we spend money on mitzvos, we should make sure to buy something nice. When we buy an Esrog for Sukkos, buy a very nice Esrog. When buying a Menorah, make it a beautiful silver one.

But what if a person does not have much money? What if the only thing he can afford is an $18 Esrog and a flimsy aluminum Menorah? There is another way to exalt Hashem and this anyone can do — exalt Him in your actions. If a person treats others with respect and constantly has a smile on his face, this will make others want to follow him. When others attach themselves to Judaism, this will bring more praise to Hashem, making Him more exalted.

The first mishna in Pirke Avos states that a person should raise many students. One might wonder, “I’m not a teacher; how can I raise many students?” The answer is that every single one of us can be a teacher even if it is not on our resume. We can teach others how to act properly – and the way we do this is teaching by example.

There is a famous story of a man who man who came to the Rabbi of a shul in Texas and gave him a check for $15,000. The Rabbi never met the man before and, although he was very appreciative, he was wondering what he did to deserve this. The donor explained that he was just in Israel and he went to the Western Wall. He saw a man who was clearly religious with long curls and dressed in a long black jacket. He said that when he watched this person pray, the man shook back and forth and had such deep concentration that it inspired him. He wanted to give money to the man, but he did not want to interrupt him. He needed to leave for his flight back to Texas while the man was still praying, so he decided he would give a large donation to an institution that this man would probably support. Therefore, he gave this donation to the shul in Texas.

The story does not end there. He continued giving $15,000 every year until he passed away. Unfortunately, he passed away at a young age. At his funeral, the Rabbi told over this story and the donor’s mother, who never heard this story before, told the Rabbi that she would continue to give $15,000 every year of her life.

This stranger at the Kosel, although he does not realize it, exalted G-d. He taught by example by showing the proper way to serve Hashem.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
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