“Serve G‑d with joy!” sings the Psalmist.
Joy is central to connecting to G‑d. Being happy when you do a mitzvah demonstrates that you like this connection, this tremendous privilege of serving the Infinite Author of All Things. And in fact, the Arizal, 16th-century master Kabbalist, once asserted that the gates of wisdom and divine inspiration were opened for him only as a reward for doing mitzvahs with boundless joy.
Not just mitzvahs, but everything you do—eating, sleeping, business, and even leisure activities—can be part of the way you connect to G‑d. All it takes is the right intentions. If so, “serve G‑d with joy” applies to all times and every situation.
When you’re happy, the toughest tasks are a cinch, the strongest adversaries are easily vanquished. If you’re down, on the other hand, even simple challenges seem overwhelming. Winning the lifelong battle against temptations, self-centeredness and just doing the right thing is largely dependent on staying bright, happy and optimistic.
A happiness meditation:
- Envision being given the opportunity to host your nation’s head of state in your humble home. Picture how overjoyed and excited you’d be at the honor.
- Consider G‑d’s unfathomable greatness.
- Take another moment to appreciate how small and insignificant you are by comparison.
- Contemplate now how He loves and cherishes you.
- Consider how, when you do a mitzvah, you cause Him to dwell with us here in our world—and you get to host Him!
- Let a sense of purpose lend bounce to your step as you go about your daily activities.
And one more:
- Recognize that all that transpires is part of G‑d’s plan, and that G‑d is in control.
- Understand that no evil could emanate from G‑d—for He is entirely good.
- Feel secure in the knowledge that everything is exactly as it is supposed to be, and Someone is looking out for you.
Challenging to accept that no evil could emanate from G‑d with the massacre that happened in Israel last month. Everything happens under His will. Moreover, G-od is all encompassing so evil is supposedly from Him too.
Our story is the same from the beginning of time. Nations and people have always looked to destroy us but to no avail. God sees and laughs at the evil done and will take care of it in his timing. G-d is good and there is no evil in him. As horrible as what took place is , and we do not understand stand why he allowed it. He is good and there is no evil in Him. I do know that he exposed the enemy hiding under on Oct.7th. He will deliver us again, and again and again because he is good. Man is evil!The inclination of man’s heart is evil.
Be encourage he will turn our pain into laughter. Let us remember God has not dealt with us according to our iniquity but according to His mercy. Ruth
I can very much imagine that people think this way. However, read Devarim 29 and 30. I am not Jewish, I wish I was born Jewish. However G-d has another plan with me, but imagine that your ancestors stood there and heard all this. Wouldn't they realise that they have a choice and all their offspring, have the same choice. Every single moment of your life. And in fact, every human being has the choice between life and death, blessing and curse. The choice is yours.
So, evil is a choice. One who chooses evil, has still a role to play.