Sometimes, a person becomes impassioned to serve G-d through Torah study or prayer, but his desire does not age [slowly]; rather it becomes immediately lost, as though the mitzvah has become old. This is similar to what it says: “...like an old decree.”⁸⁹61 writes that one should recite the Kriyat Shema with fear and trembling, like a newly issued imperial decree, edict issued by a king, an not like an old edict that no longer inspires fear. Thus it says, “Do not cast me off” from my enthusiasm,⁸⁹ the time of old age” (אַל תַּשְׁלִיכֵנִי לְעֵת זִקְנָה). That is, let me mature slowly in my service of G-d; do not cast me quickly into a time of old age. [that my worship] should seem to be like an old decree. Rather, let it be like a new edict from the King. Sifsei Tzaddikim, Pikudei

footnotes: ⁸⁹ The halachic work Tur, Orach Chaim ⁸⁹ The words, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age,” can also be read, “Do not cast me into