Our sages teach us, four of the greatest sages delved into the practically infinite secrets of the Torah, Rabbi Akivah, Aliyshah Ben Avuhah, Ben Zoma (if I not mistaken) and Rabbi Elazar Ben Azarya (if I’m not mistaken)

Now a simple question can be asked, these were incredibly wise scholars – how could more wisdom, have such a drastic effect?

The answers is very very relevant and necessary for us to get

Firstly, why was Rabbi Akivah the better, when the others, were the worse, for the wear?

So the reason is; is that Rabbi Akivah did not study this extra wisdom for his sake – he did so only because a Jew is commanded to study as much Torah as possible – hence when it was time for him to leave the orchard, as he wasn’t there for his benefit, he left with a bag of fruit.

However, the others were interested, as they were very great seekers of wisdom, and hence it had a deleterious effect.

What can we learn from this?

Though we are not perhaps on their level, but the fundamental of every human is the same, for effectively we can be doing things, either for a selfless, or a selfish reason.

The Rebbe correctly surmises, that all of Judaism boils down to the Mishniac dictum: “I was created (in other words, my purpose) is to serve God.”

Why can’t I serve God, because I choose to?

Why must I serve him as a servant, as a slave; why not as a choice?

The answer is similar to the great Rabbis – if my motive is my selfish desires, then we see exactly; living in a world in which most of us have freedom, how our desires are literally killing us, never mind the family!

If on the other hand, I understand my life is not about me, my life is about serving God, then suddenly – apart from the tremendous pride to be God’s agent – as everything we do is as a result of a higher calling, we hence, are enhanced by our wisdom, and it doesn’t become yet another addiction!