Finding Joy in Mitzvos

By Rabbi Moshe Krieger, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah (www.bircas.org)

In Parshas Vayeitzei, there is a puzzling conversation between Yaakov Avinu and his wives, Leah and Rachel. When Yaakov informs them about his decision to return to Eretz Cana’an, he speaks at length (five verses) about their father Lavan’s dishonesty. He asserts that he was wronged for so many years, and nevertheless he remained Lavan’s loyal employee. Only after all this does Yaakov add that an angel appeared to him and instructed him to return to Cana’an.

Wasn’t the command of the angel in the name of Hashem enough of a motivation to go? Why did Yaakov have to preface the command with other reasons?

The response recorded in the Chumash is equally confusing. Rachel and Leah reply with three verses filled with complaints about the way their father treated them, after which they conclude, “Do whatever Hashem tells you.”

Again, isn’t Hashem’s command enough? What is the meaning behind all of these complaints about Lavan’s unfair behavior? Even if Lavan had treated them well, that surely would not have been a reason not to obey Hashem’s command. Why are they debating, in the most mundane terms, the practical justifications for complying?

In truth, Yaakov and the Imahos weren’t weighing the pros and cons of keeping a mitzvah, G-d forbid. Of course they would have obeyed regardless. However, they were trying to internalize the feeling that Hashem’s command was in fact good for them. Picking up and leaving one’s home is generally a difficult and emotional task. Here, they were giving voice to the fact that that they knew, intellectually and emotionally, that Hashem’s command was for their benefit. Yaakov wished to ensure that this potentially difficult command was carried out with a sense of joy.

HaRav Eliyahu Lopian notes that this episode serves to bring out an important principle of Yiddishkeit: a Jew must always do mitzvos with the understanding that they are the best thing to do. He must know it and feel it deep inside himself.

Does this sound simple? Let’s be honest and ask ourselves if this is really what we believe. As we go about our mitzvah observance, do we ever feel that we are suffering a bit, albeit for Hashem’s sake? This parashah teaches us that this is not the ideal way. To go through life with the idea that we are slaving away to give Hashem nachas is something that can motivate us, but it is not the best way to live our lives. We need to arrive at the feeling that living according to the Torah is not just for sechar in Olam Haba; it is the best way to live in this world! This attitude leads to doing mitzvos with joy and a sense of fulfillment.

The Ramchal (in his introduction to Pischei Chachmah) notes that doing Hashem’s will with joy is the key to breaking one’s evil inclination. When a person builds up a sense of delight in mitzvos, this combats other forms of desire, namely the pulls of this world.

The Rambam (Hilchos Issurei Bi’ah 22:21) similarly says that the best way to rid oneself of his love for worldly pleasure is to immerse himself in love of knowledge. It is worth noting that the Rambam stresses that love of wisdom is what pushes away and can ultimately vanquish the love, or lust, for the physical. Meaning, the more we develop a sense of joy in serving Hashem, the greater the strength we develop to overpower the evil inclination.

In fact, joy in Torah study and mitzvah observance is the key to our spiritual growth. The Zohar (cited in the introduction to the sefer Eglei Tal) states that the desire to do good only grows in strength through joyfulness. Simchah provides the fuel and energy that propel a Jew’s advancement in spirituality.

What can we do to foster this joy? Regarding Torah study, learners at any level can testify to having tasted the sweetness of Torah, some more and some less. (Of course, beginners need to put in extra effort to break into Talmud study before they can start to feel it, but after that point they too will begin to appreciate the joys of learning.)

Shabbos is also a source of simchah. Even staunchly secular Jews understand the attraction of holding a family seudah, singing zemiros and sharing Torah thoughts while enjoying delicious dishes. All this takes place in a serene atmosphere free of radio, TV, and other gadgets. We should delight in the Shabbos and feel uplifted by it.

Prayer can also be a source of pleasure. The ability to maintain a close, verbal relationship with the Creator of the universe is an uplifting spiritual experience. Often, we feel much better after davening, and we are able to walk away after davening with an uplifted feeling.

Interactions with our fellow man and all of the mitzvos involving our relationships with others are opportunities to bring good into the world. Living with the awareness that we can be the source for positive change that profoundly affects the lives of others is in itself a rewarding spiritual experience.

What about the mitzvos that we fulfil without knowing the reason behind them, or we do not perceive tangible benefit from performing them? How are we supposed to derive joy or feel fulfilled from them?

Rav Moshe Marjanik (in Hisbonenus U’Ma’aseh) writes that we can find joy in fulfilling these mitzvos through the knowledge that we are zocheh to carry out the will of Hashem. We know that fulfilling His will brings us closer to Him. Every mitzvah we do builds us, enhancing our connection. This approach to mitzvos creates a joyful sense of accomplishment. In fact, this should be the main approach, even for those mitzvos mentioned above that offer fringe benefits in this world too. The main inspiration we should find in mitzvos is that through them we come closer to Hashem (see Mesillas Yesharim 19). If a person does mitzvos without thinking about what he is doing, he naturally will not feel any joy in doing them. One who is aware of the importance of mitzvos and the way they connect him to Hashem feels endless joy and gratitude for having the privilege to do them.

Rav Marjanik tells a story to illustrate this phenomenon: For years, a certain yeshivah employed a cook who did not enjoy her work. She was constantly complaining about the job, the pay, and that the bachurim were driving her crazy.

Later, a new cook took over, and while she did the same work for the same wage, she was always happy. For her, this was a way to serve Hashem. “How lucky I am that I can prepare food for young men engaged all day in Torah study. I get a share in their reward,” she would always say.

May we be zocheh to find joy in Torah and mitzvos!

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