We are told of the Arizal, by his disciple R. Hayyim Vital, that he was particular in paying his workers exactly on time, without delay. And if he did not have the money with which to pay these wages, he would delay his afternoon prayer ( minhah ) until close to sunset in order to search out a loan with which to make the payment. Only afterwards would he hurriedly daven minhah . He would explain himself by saying: “How can I pray to the Lord, may He be blessed . . . , when such an important mitzvah is incumbent upon me, and I have not carried it out?”
Come for a dose of inspiration from some of the greatest (and at times oddest) minds of history. The table is set. Come eat.