| Among the 613 Mitzvot is the commandment to pray with your heart. "Pray with your heart" means to pray with sincere intention. This Mitzvah encompasses all the other Mitzvot.
The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt and forced to perform backbreaking labor. This bondage prepared them to dedicate themselves to following the 613 Mitzvot.
However, there is a significant difference between the Egyptian bondage and the performance of the Mitzvot. The Egyptian oppression embittered the spirit of Klal Yisrael, while the Mitzvot grant us life, joy, and sanctity in this world as well as in the World to Come.
The Arizal taught that all of his wisdom came from the intense joy with which he performed the Mitzvot. In fact, our reward in the World to Come is correlated to the level of joy we experience in this world for the Mitzvot we perform.
Today: Pray sincerely with heartfelt intention. Strive to perform the Mitzvot with joy and increase your joy in this world as well as in the World to Come.
(Based on the Sefer Charedim)
Note: We learned that Klal Yisrael suffered under Egyptian bondage as a result of speaking Lashon Hara. In today’s world, we are constantly exposed to social media and news broadcasts, where Lashon Hara is widespread. We would love to hear from our subscribers: What practical steps can we take to address and rectify this issue in our own lives and communities? Thank you for your valuable insights and support! | 
