What sets humans apart from all other creations?
Many will answer: bechira, free will. And that’s true. But there’s something more—"mi'odeness".
Hashem infused us with an innate awareness of our own greatness, an internal knowledge that we are capable of far more than we can see in the moment.
Bereishis tells us that on the 6th day of creation, “Hashem saw everything He had made, and it was tov mi’od – very good.”
Chazal point out that mi’od shares its letters with adam. Man, the pinnacle of creation, is not just good—he is mi’od, boundless.
At first glance, we seem finite, bound by the limits of this world. But Hashem placed an infinite force within us—our capacity to push beyond what we think is possible.
And that brings us to an essential mindset in fundraising—the belief that we can do more than we think. Hashem doesn’t give us small missions. He gives us big ones—because He knows we are bigger than we think.
When it comes to raising funds for Torah, the challenge often feels insurmountable. The numbers don’t seem to add up, the needs continue to grow, and yet, somehow, we push beyond what seems possible.
This 3-step exercise will help unlock that hidden potential and take your fundraising to the next level.
Step 1: Envision the Possible
Ask yourself: What is the largest amount I could possibly raise if I truly tapped into my fullest capabilities? What could I achieve if I removed every limitation—whether real or self-imposed?
“But I did everything I possibly could during my last campaign. What more can I do?”
Really? Everything?
What about the ideas that felt too ambitious? The strategies you dismissed as unrealistic? What if those weren’t barriers but stepping stones?
Be bold. Last year, you raised $300K. Could you reach $500K? If it was $600K, could you set your sights on $1M?
Step 2: Declare the Goal
Verbalization is powerful.
Say it out loud: “If the right elements align, my ‘Largest Possible’ goal for this year is $XXX.”
Now, commit to it. Let it settle in. And once you’ve internalized it, share it—with your team, your board, your key supporters. Because the first step to achieving greatness is believing it’s possible.
Step 3: Chart the Path
Now, put it into action.
Take a blank piece of paper and write at the top: “How to reach $XXX in this year’s campaign.”
What will it take? More strategic planning? New approaches? A fresh investment in manpower, coaching, or technology?
Look to those who have done it before. Reach out to leaders who have surpassed expectations and ask:
- How did they do it?
- What made the difference?
- What shifted their trajectory?
The best part? Just by setting this vision and declaring it, you’ve already taken a crucial step forward.
Not ready to commit just yet? That’s okay. Revisit this when you are. Because the moment you embrace your mi’od, you’ll see just how much more is within reach.
This lesson is woven throughout Megillas Esther.
Esther herself initially hesitated when Mordechai urged her to approach Achashverosh, fearing the risks were too great.
But Mordechai reminded her: "Who knows if for this very moment you were placed in this position?" (Esther 4:14).
She stepped into her mi’od—her boundless potential—and saved Klal Yisrael.
When the stakes are high, Hashem gives us the ability to rise above our perceived limits. Just as Esther found the strength to fulfill her mission, we, too, can tap into our inner mi’od and accomplish what once seemed impossible.
So as you take on the next fundraising challenge, remember: The capacity is already within you. Hashem has placed you here for a reason.
Step forward with courage, and you’ll see that what once felt beyond reach is already within grasp.
(Thank you to my dear friend Rabbi Levi Lebovits of the Vaad Project, for collaborating with me on this piece.)
Freilichen Purim. Purim Samayach.
Wishing you a simcha filled week.
Avraham
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