There is the belief among rabbis that by performing mitzvot, one would be actively participating in Tikkun Olam (crafting a better world). With this in mind, it is difficult for any person to do all the 613 mitzvot all of the time. Therefore many rabbis specialized in mitzvot and made this their forte. There is the passage in the Torah which states that you must help your neighbor's afflicted animal. Taking this portion a rabbi long ago, used to travel around and look for animals in distress, just to help them.
“Between 1305 and the early 1800’s. the House of Taxis ran a form of pony express service all over Europe…. Its couriers clad in blue and silver uniforms, crisscrossed the continent carrying messages between princes and generals, merchants and money lenders.” –Alvin Toffler, The Third Wave We may think we are the first generation consumed by rapid communication but we are not. Throughout our history it has been a priority. Of course, now in the 21 st century we must ask: are we better or worse for it?
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