Zeal & Mitzvot: How Fast Should You Run?

We begin the sources calling for zeal and speed in the performance of mitzvot. Exactly how important is it to rush to do a mitzvah? When is it better to wait and perform a mitzvah at a later time?

1) The opinion of those poskim who hold that Brit Mila should be done as early in the day as possible. 2) The opinion of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, who held that Brit Mila should be delayed until it can be done in a festive manner. 3) Beginning of the text of the Shaarei Gan Eden regarding halachically improper prayers (like prayers recited too late in the day).

Today we conclude the text of Shaarei Gan Eden, providing some justification for prayers and other mitzvot performed too late in the day. Then we begin the issue of drawing conclusion from the deeds of the Patriarchs (Avraham, Yitschak, and Yaakov), who lived before the Torah was given to us at Mt. Sinai.

Which is more important: (1) performing a mitzvah at the first opportunity with zeal; or (2) delaying the performance of the mitzvah so that it can be done in a better way?

According to R. Yosef Karo and the Trumot ha-Deshen, speed is preferable to superior performance of a mitsva when there is some doubt about whether you will be able to do the mitzvah later. Examples: Halitsa with a younger brother when waiting for the elder brother entails delay and kiddush levana during the week when waiting for Saturday night entails a doubt about whether it will be cloudy.

It is correct to delay a mitzvah if you are sure that you will be able to perform the mitzvah in a better way latter. But if you are in doubt about whether you will be able to perform the mitzvah later, you should perform it now without delay. This leads to a discussion regarding the definition of doubt (safek).

Today we cover the opinions of the Baal ha-Tanya of Lubavitch, the Radbaz of Egypt, the Chacham Tsvi of Amsterdam, and the Mishna Brura.

The opinion of the Nishmat Adam (by R. Avraham Danzig) based on the Sefer Hasidim.

What is better: asking an agent to perform a mitzvah for you with zeal or performing it yourself with delay? Should you spend money to perform a mitzvah with zeal? R. Moshe Feinstein’s opinion regarding wives following their husbands’ opinions.