Torah from Rabbi Saunders

Parshas Ekev contains one of the most stirring verses in the Torah about our relationship with Hashem:

“And now, Israel, what does Hashem your G-d ask of you? Only to fear Hashem your G-d, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, and to serve Hashem your G-d with all your heart and with all your soul.”  (Devarim 10:12)

This verse outlines the spiritual roadmap of a Jew: awe, love, and wholehearted service. But how do we serve Hashem with all our heart and soul? The answer lies in the emotional tone we bring to our mitzvos, specifically, joy.

Later in Devarim (28:47), the Torah warns of consequences for not serving Hashem “with joy and a glad heart.” The implication is clear: joy isn’t a bonus, it’s essential. The Chassidic masters, especially the Baal Shem Tov and his students, emphasized that joy opens the gates of heaven and transforms even simple acts into profound spiritual service.

The name “Ekev” literally means “heel,” hinting at the mitzvos we might metaphorically “step on”, those we consider minor. Yet the Torah teaches that these small acts, when done with joy, elevate our entire spiritual standing. Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l explained that the joy we infuse into even the most routine mitzvah, like saying a bracha or helping someone in need, reflects our love for Hashem and deepens our connection.

Parshas Ekev also recounts Hashem’s care for Bnei Yisrael in the desert: the manna, the protection, the miracles. These reminders are meant to stir gratitude. Joy in serving Hashem flows naturally when we recognize His constant kindness. As the Sfas Emes writes, joy is not just a feeling, it’s a recognition of truth. When we see Hashem’s hand in our lives, our hearts overflow with simcha.

Serving Hashem with joy isn’t reserved for moments of spiritual ecstasy, it’s a daily practice. Whether we’re putting on tefillin, lighting Shabbos candles, or speaking kindly to others, joy transforms the act from obligation to celebration.