Joy in Judaism: 13 Surprising Tips for Transforming Shabbat and Holidays into Unforgettable Experiences

Rabbi Yehuda Halevi, a medieval scholar, poet, philosopher, and rabbi,  teaches us how to rejoice on Shabbat and holidays:

"In summary, our Torah is divided between fear, love, and joy. You can draw near to Hashem through any of these, and your humility on fast days is no closer to Hashem than your joy on Shabbat and holidays, when your joy comes with intention and a whole heart. Just as supplications require thought and intention, so too joy in His commandments and Torah require thought and intention, that you rejoice in the commandment itself out of love for the Commander and recognize the good He has bestowed upon you through it, as if you are entering His lodging, invited to His table and goodness, and you should thank Him for this both inwardly and outwardly, and if joy leads you to singing and dancing, it is service and devotion to the Divine matter" (Kuzari, 2:50).

Here is a brief explanation of his words:

In summary, our Torah is divided between fear, love, and joy: Rabbi Yehuda Halevi explains that the Torah includes three primary components: fear (respect and awe of Hashem), love (love of Hashem), and joy (joy in serving Hashem).

You can draw near to Hashem through any of these: Closeness to Hashem can occur through any of these elements. One can draw close to Hashem through fear, love, or joy.

And your humility on fast days is no closer to Hashem than your joy on Shabbat and holidays: Feelings of submission on fast days do not bring a person closer to Hashem than joy on Shabbat and holidays. In both states, a person can draw equally close to Hashem.

When your joy comes with intention and a whole heart: When joy comes from a whole heart, one can reach sublime levels of devotion to Hashem.

Just as supplications require thought and intention, so too joy in His commandments and Torah require thought and intention: Just as prayers and supplications demand proper thoughts and intention, so too joy in the commandments and Torah must be accompanied by intention and thought.

That you rejoice in the commandment itself out of love for the Commander and recognize the good He has bestowed upon you through it: Joy in a commandment should stem from your love for Hashem, Who commanded you to perform this commandment, and from your recognition of the good He grants you through it.

As if you are entering His lodging invited to His table and goodness, and you should thank Him for this both inwardly and outwardly: On Shabbat and holidays, a Jew should feel like someone who was invited to stay in the palace of a great king, and you should thank him for this both in your heart and externally.

And if joy leads you to singing and dancing, it is service and devotion to the Divine matter: If joy leads you to singing and dancing, it is considered an act of devotion toward Hashem.

Rabbi Yehuda Halevi's words demonstrate that joy in serving Hashem is an essential part of our spiritual lives and can greatly enrich our relationship with Hashem and cause us to connect deeply with Him.

Practical Tips for Adding Joy to Your Avodat Hashem (Service of Hashem)

1. Gratitude: Every day, dedicate a few minutes to thinking about the good things that happened to you. Gratitude increases your internal joy and helps you see the good in your life. You can record these things in a gratitude journal or simply reflect on them.

2. Torah Study with Joy: Torah study can be an immense source of joy. Choose topics that interest you and study them thoroughly and joyfully. Share your learning with others and create a shared experience of joy.

3. Acts of Kindness: Performing acts of kindness and giving to others increase your joy and happiness. Dedicate time to help others, whether through small gestures like a smile or a compliment, or bigger things like volunteer work.

4. Pray with Joy: When you pray, try to focus on the joy that the words bring you. Remember that prayer is a conversation with Hashem, and it can be full of joy and love.

6. Observing Shabbat and Holidays with Joy: Shabbat and holidays are special times for joy. Prepare for them in advance and try to enjoy every moment. Host festive meals, share Shabbat and holidays with family and friends, and pay attention to the little details that bring joy.

7. Dance on Shabbat and Holidays: Dance by yourself or with your family on Shabbat and holidays, either after the meal or during leisure time.

8. Sing: Sing happy tunes and songs with family or friends. Joyful singing can elevate the mood and add to the spirituality of Shabbat and holidays.

9. Buy Gifts for Your Husband, Wife, and Children Before the Holidays: Buying gifts for your husband, wife, and children before a holiday can add to the excitement and joy. The gifts can be small and meaningful, like a new book, a game, or a beautiful item for the home.

10. Prepare Delicious Foods: Prepare special food for Shabbat and holidays. Delicious food creates a warm and pleasant family atmosphere.

11. Involve Children in the Cooking and Preparation: Involve your children in Shabbat and holiday preparations like cooking and baking. This will encourage them and make them feel part of the joy ahead of time.

12. Remember the Greatness of Joy and the Reward: Always remember the greatness of performing commandments joyfully and the reward they bring. Try to remind yourself of the spiritual virtue of each commandment you fulfill.

13. Create Mindfulness: Be careful to perform each commandment mindfully, with full intention and a whole heart. Focus on the meaning of the commandment and your connection with Hashem.

To add joy to your life, start implementing these tips before next Shabbat and the upcoming holiday. Dance, sing, and prepare special foods, buy gifts for your family, and invest in a joyful and pleasant atmosphere. Remember that through joy we can connect to spirituality and find deeper meaning in our daily lives.

Performing commandments joyfully brings light into our lives and strengthens our connection with Hashem. Don't hesitate to start right now and see how joy can change your life and bring you new depth and meaning.