When Every Moment Is Precious-Lo Sih’yeh Meshakeilah

A MAAMAR BY THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE, RABBI MENACHEM M. SCHNEERSON
A HANDBOOK FOR AVODAH, DIVINE SERVICE

Last Shabbos, Shabbos Mevarchim Adar, Shabbos Parshas Mishpatim, the Rebbe left his room at 12:35 pm and entered the study hall through the back door€¦, taking his place at the head of the table which is positioned on the south-west side of the room€¦.
When his entrance was noticed, his chair was brought for him€¦. After several moments, he began delivering the maamar entitled Lo Sih€yeh Meshakeilah. (As on previous occasions before he delivered a maamar, the Rebbe€s deep and intense feeling was noticeable and his face was white€¦.)
The maamar lasted 55 minutes. While delivering it, he cried very much. On several occasions, he could not hold himself back and cried audibly. At one point, he explained as follows: It is written: €œI shall fill the number of your days.€ G-d grants every person a fixed number of days to complete his Divine service€¦. This applies not only to the days; even the hours and minutes are accounted for and a person must perform the Divine service necessary, using every moment to the fullest. This point should constantly be gnawing at a person; he should feel under strain and under pressure, contemplating what he could be doing to use this moment fully.
When the Rebbe said these words, we could see that he was living them. He spoke them from the depths of his heart and could not continue speaking. He leaned his head on his right hand and cried for several moments.
It is impossible for a pen to capture those moments. I ask G-d to allow that picture to remain in my mind for my entire life.
(from Portrait of a Chassid: The Life and Legacy of R. Zvi Hirsch Gansbourg)