Reply To: Motivation for Avodas Hashem

Mdd1 it seems we are coming from two different worlds worth regards to our chinuch. I was educated that everything we do in life needs to have a purpose and the purpose needs to be to serve Hashem.

In fact, based on perek ches Tanya, it is through controlling ourselves with permitted things, and directing their use for Hashem that we strengthen our self control and weaken our yetzer hara so that when it comes to an actual aveira is much less of a struggle.

Hence, things like ice cream to enjoy the taste, sleeping in, or centering ones life around trying out top cuts of kosher beef are frowned upon.

As far as Kadesh atzmecha I didn’t make it up. I can give you a source to look up that brings in all the relevant maamarei chazal if you shall so desire 🙂