Bring Joy to Your Friends
The Vilna Gaon wrote:"The axiomatc principle of the Torah is to make other people happy." The purpose of our existence is to empathize with our fellow man and bestow kindness upon them. By dedicating our primary interests and efforts on serving others, we attain the true Torah ideology. In light of this, when we succeed in bringing happiness to others, HaShem credits us for fulfilling the majority of the Torah!
Lesson: A person who grasps the root of a tree embraces the whole tree -- its trunk, branches, leaves, and fruits. So too, when we make others happy, we embrace the very essence of the Torah.
Visualization: Envision Avraham Avinu serving others with great joy, kindness, and respect. See how he loves every person individually and holds love for all of mankind in his heart. Sense the great happiness that he gives to his family, friends, and guests by showering them with kindness, love, sensitivity, and care.
(Based on the writings of the Vilan Gaon and Rav Chaim Voloshin)
