“Effort” is a very important concept in Judaism, and indeed in all aspects of this world. It is impossible to gain anything without effort, and in direct relation to the amount of effort is the amount of gain. However, when one knows that the gain will be large, the pain of the work is less. On the contrary, the work will be enjoyable and sweet. It follows that one who reflects on the reward for the commandments and the gains from having pleased Hashem, will definitely find all the efforts and pains lighten in his eyes. He will be quick to do things and gain from it. Even a weak person will say to himself, “I am a strong man!”, and do all that is in his power. Concerning this it says in Mishlei (Proverbs), “If you seek it like money and search for it like hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of Hashem and you will find the knowledge of Hashem”.

In the same way as making efforts to fulfil the commandments or to achieve financial gain should be easy for a person, so too conversely a person should find it extremely difficult to bother other people even to make a small effort. Go out and learn from the commandment which the Torah instructed: “You shall arise before old age, and venerate the face of the elderly.”, and nevertheless Chazal said that an old man who makes sure to go a different way to avoid people having to stand up for him, will merit long life. On the other hand, Chazal also said that it is correct for a Talmid Chacham (learned man) to deliberately pass in front of the people so that they will stand up because of him and fulfil a commandment, and thereby receive reward for their effort. It would appear that it all depends on the style of person. If they are people who want to fulfil the commandments, and it is not a bother for them, he should deliberately walk in front of them and cause them to have to stand up and receive reward for their having fulfilled the commandment. However, if he is worried that they might not enjoy fulfilling the commandments, and it is a bother and a burden for them, then Chazal said that if he deliberately goes a different way so as not to bother them, then he will merit long life.