Daily Chizuk #1512

Chazal tell us the Yevanim made the Jewish People write on the horn of an ox "אין לנו חלק באלוקי ישראל - We have no share in the G-d of Israel." The Sefat Emet asked, this phrase is seemingly self- contradictory. On the one hand they were told to write that they have no share, but they were also saying that Hashem is the G-d of Israel. The Sefat Emet explained, the Yevanim admitted that indeed Hashem was the G-d of Israel, but they wanted to destroy the emunah of the Jewish People that their actions matter. They wanted the Jews to think that their actions don't make any impressions in Heaven. And that's why one of the mitzvot which they tried to abolish was Rosh Chodesh, because that's a mitzvah which shows how we determine the calendar. They wanted us to think our actions are meaningless. But we know our deeds carry so much weight in Shamayim, and whatever we do is so precious to Hashem.
Our deeds matter very much. Everything we do to serve Hashem is so precious to Him.
Chanukah Sameach & Chodesh Tov!