Six Steps to True Happiness \ The Wisdom of Proverbs
D'var Torah:"The aspiration of the righteous people is joy, the yearning of the immoral ones will be lost" (Proverbs 10:28). In this verse, "aspiration" denotes a long term objective, while "yearning" refers to seeking immediate gratification. The righteous people do not seek to take their reward in this world. Rather, they trust in HaShem that He will grant them their reward in the World to Come. They know that the reward in the World to Come, the joy of the Splendor of the Shechinah, is the ultimate pleasure and delight. "The aspiration of the righteous people is joy," meaning, they have the clarity to patiently pursue - and receive - the supreme joy of the World to Come. Conversely, the "immoral ones" will not even receive the immediate gratification that they seek, as per the verse, "The way of the immoral will be lost."
Moral: The righteous people are always happy and content because they trust that HaShem will grant them their reward of supreme and eternal delight in the World to Come, as King David said, "Light is sown away for the righteous and happiness for the upright" (Tehillim 97:11). Whereas, the immoral people are always frustrated because they cannot satisfy their desires.
Application: (1) Reflect on the verse, "The aspiration of the righteous people is joy". (2 ) Focus your aspiration on receiving your reward in the World to Come, the place of incomparable spiritual delights and the ultimate joy of basking in the Splendor of the Shechinah. (3) Avoid the frustration of seeking the illusive earthly desires. (5) Trust in HaShem that He will grant you great reward in the World to Come. (6) Attain contentment and peace of mind in this world, and receive eternal pleasure and delight in the World to Come.
(Based on the commentary of the Vilna Gaon to Mishlei)
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