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In Parshat Va'etchanan, Moshe Rabbeinu recounts the events leading up to the Jews' entrance into the Land of Israel, including the giving of the Ten Commandments and the importance of adhering to the Torah. Central to this parsha is the verse from Shema Yisrael (Devarim 6:4-9), which emphasizes the oneness of Hashem and the imperative to love Him with all our heart, soul, and might.
Among the many themes in this parsha, one core message stands out, especially when we consider it in light of the Delray Torah Center’s motto: “Serve Hashem with Joy.” This theme resonates throughout the Torah, and it can be found in the very mitzvah of loving Hashem, which underpins the Shema.
In the Shema, we are commanded not just to serve Hashem, but to love Him with all our being. The Torah tells us:
“You shall love Hashem, your G-D, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.”
This verse teaches that our relationship with Hashem must encompass every part of ourselves. Our hearts, our desires, our actions, and even our possessions should be directed toward Him. However, what is often emphasized is the attitude with which we fulfill this mitzvah. How does one love Hashem? And why is joy so central to this service?
The Torah is not just interested in our actions; it desires our hearts. Serving Hashem with joy, therefore, is not just about fulfilling commandments mechanically but doing so with enthusiasm, passion, and a sense of inner fulfillment. The famous commentary, the Kli Yakar, explains that the commandment to serve Hashem with joy is not just a suggestion but an essential part of our spiritual service. The Kli Yakar writes that a person's joy in performing mitzvot is a reflection of the depth of their love for Hashem. If you truly love Hashem, your service to Him will overflow with joy, much like how a child feels joy when interacting with a parent they love.
Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, one of the great masters of Chassidus, teaches that joy is a vital component of one's connection to Hashem. He famously said, “Mitzvah gedolah le’hiyot b’simcha tamid”—“It is a great mitzvah to be happy always.” Joy, Rabbi Nachman explains, is not just a pleasant emotion but a spiritual state that elevates all aspects of our service. When we approach Torah study, prayer, and mitzvot with joy, we transform our relationship with Hashem into one of love and warmth, not obligation.
May we all strive to serve Hashem with joy, filling our lives and the world around us with light, love, and happiness.
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