Mitzvos aforethought

In many Chassidish (and methinks also Sephardic) circles it is the custom to say לשם יחוד before doing a mitzvah. This roughly translates as, "I am doing this mitzvah with the intention of unifying Kavyochol and the Shechina..." Many also add the words לעשות נחת רוח וכו - [I am doing this in order] to please my Creator, blessed be His Holy Name.

The concept of לשם יחוד is an esoteric kabalistic one, and we will not delve into that at present. Also the custom of adding לעשות נחת רוח has its roots in deep Chassidish thought, and is an outcome of the Chassidish idea that 'the preparation for a mitzvah is greater than the mitzvah itself'.

While these are lofty concepts, there is, however, also a very practical gain from saying these formulae, and that is to get into the proper mindset. We have discussed at length how Kavyochol derives immense pleasure from our mitzvos, and how overcoming the Yh"r is akin to bringing a korbon.

These ideas, as inspiring as they are, will only give one strength in times of temptation if they remember and focus on them. The problem is, though, that the Yetzer Horah's first strategy is to prevent us from thinking and focusing on our tafkid (purpose in life).

When one actively says to himself prior to doing a mitzvah, "I am going to do this mitzvah in order to please Hashem," it becomes so much easier to actually do the mitzvah properly, with enthusiasm and concentration. Even if saying לשם יחוד is not accepted in one's circles (and actually, even if it is...), one would benefit tremendously by getting into the habit of consciously thinking before each and every mitzvah, however minor it may seem, "I am doing this in order to bring a kvod shamayim and to please my Creator."