| Five Steps to Happiness \ Parashat Ki Tavo
D'var Torah: "Because you did not serve HaShem, your G-d, with happiness...." (Devarim 28:47). As long as a person fulfills the Mitzvot, what difference does it make whether he serves HaShem with happiness or not? Imagine someone who owns a nice house, and takes on a project to build a second home. Since there is nothing compelling him to build the house, he will put the project on the "back burner." Conversely, someone who is without a home, will put his full energy into completing the project as soon as possible. Likewise if a person does not impress upon himself the bounty of blessings that HaShem grants him for each Mitzvah that he performs, his Divine service will be "lukewarm." Whereas, a person who is aware of the incomparable reward of each Mitzvah, pursues his Mitzvot with great happiness, strength and dedication.
Moral: The first step in preparing ourselves to serve HaShem, is to power our Mitzvot with happiness by reflecting on the countless blessings, beauty, and pleasantness that we acquire with each Mitzvah, both in this world, as well as, the eternal World to Come.
Application: (1) Envision the sublime joy that filled King David's heart and soul with each Mitzvah that he performed. (2) Transpose King David's joy of serving HaShem to your heart and soul. (3) Visualize that the light of Gan Eden shines upon you with each Mitzvah that you perform. (4) Perform your Mitzvot with happiness, vibrancy, and passion. (5) Reap supreme blessings, benefits, and reward both here in this world as well as your eternal life in Gan Eden. (Based on the commentary of Rav Simcha Zissel Ziv, The Saba M'Kelm) |
L"N R' Yochanon Mordecai ben Ephraim and Moras Esther Leah bas Yehudah Yoseph
Refuah Shleimah
Yochanon Baruch ben Fruma Ettta
Riva bas HenyaZivia bas RaizelLeah Hadassah bas Michal ChanaChava Bas Michal ChanahChaya Harriet Bat Sophie Lee Mazal Malkah Mollie Bas Sarah Yakir Efraim Ben Rachel Devora
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