Many times we are in a position to perform an easy Mitzvah, yet we refrain since it is "so easy". We tell ourselves: That Mitzvah is so easy to do. What significance can be attained by such a simple deed? Even if we were to do it - only the bare minimum of reward will be awakened. Therefore, we decide to abandon this "small act", making the assumption that we should look for a more important Mitzvah.

 

For instance, Mike came home after a late meeting. He thought about straightening the living room before going to sleep but was just too tired. He thought: Maybe I should just clear the dishes that the children left on the table. But then he said to himself: It will only take a second to clear the table. But it won’t put a dent in the rest of the mess. I might as well not do anything. Therefore, he chose to leave the dishes on the table and just climb into bed.

 

Yet in light of a seemingly insignificant act, why does the Mishneh urge us to "Run to perform an easy Mitzvah"?

 

Even if a Mitzvah is of minor importance, nevertheless our sages reveal the relevancy of its performance: Run to perform an easy Mitzvah and thereby flee from committing a transgression. In other words, the performance of a trivial good deed engenders a major consequence, i.e., it protects a person from committing a misdeed! As long as we are engaged in a positive act, we cannot simultaneously perpetrate a negative act.

 

In light of this the Mishneh states, Run to perform an easy Mitzvah and thereby flee from committing a transgression; for a Mitzvah leads to the performance of a Mitzvah, i.e., and not a sin. And the reward of the Mitzvah is a Mitzvah. Meaning, the Mitzvah one performs, no matter how small, is a reward, in and of itself - for it protects one from committing a sin, and illuminates him with goodness and the light of Gan Eden. [Based on the commentary of Rav Chaim Voloshin to Pirkei Avos]