Rabbi Yigal Cohen – How Come You Don't Serve Hashem with Joy?

In the portion of Ki Tavo (28:47), after the sacred Torah lists ninety-eight curses for those who do not observe its commandments, it concludes with the verse: "Because you did not serve Hashem your God with joy and gladness of heart, when you had an abundance of all things."

And the words seem puzzling; could all the severe curses that might, God forbid, befall the people of Israel stem solely from not serving Hashem with joy? Even if they observed the entire Torah but not with joy, would curses still come upon them?

Moreover, regarding the end of the verse "in abundance of everything," Hashem questions Israel: "Why do you not serve Me with joy and abundance?" Do we truly have everything? Each of us feels there is something missing in our lives.

To explain this, I will share a teaching I heard from a pious and God-fearing Jew in the name of the Baal Shem Tov. He says, a person who doesn't serve Hashem with joy is deeply lacking in faith. For if Rav Ovadia Yosef zt"l asked us to help prepare his important book for publishing, cook a meal, or organize his many books, and certainly if we had the honor to host him on Shabbat, we would be thrilled, doing everything he asks with great joy, despite the difficulty, because of the greatness of the one asking.

And if we feel this for a human being, how much more so for the King of Kings, the Almighty, whose wisdom, greatness, and power are boundless. He grants us life at every moment, surrounds us with endless kindness from the moment we were born, providing our food all our lives. When He asks us, "My children, put on tefillin, give charity, study Torah," and we do not fulfill His commandments with immense joy, it is because we do not recognize His greatness, despite the tremendous reward promised for His mitzvot.

Regarding the question of "abundance," if so, why does Hashem come to us with claims, "Why didn't you serve Me with joy, with abundance?" The answer is found in the chapter on Trusting in God.

Hashem says to His beloved nation Israel, "You have Me; I am your Father and Mother. Trust in My great and awesome name, and I will grant you the desires of your heart," as it is said (Psalms 37:4), "and delight in Hashem, and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Who is Your Father?

A parable: A wealthy man carries only a credit card, but even though he has no cash in his pocket, he is considered very wealthy because he has substantial funds in the bank. With a swipe of his card, he can buy anything he desires.

So, too, a Jew has an immensely rich Father, an unrivaled healer, a matchmaker who can secure any spouse worldwide, and immense wisdom to solve any problem. By simply turning to Him, the Jew can receive anything he wants. All that is needed is to "swipe the card," i.e., trust in the Almighty.

Therefore, Hashem says -

"How is it you do not serve Me with joy? If you only contemplated My immense greatness, the kindness with which I surround you daily, and the reward awaiting you for every commandment, even the smallest, you would surely serve Me with immense joy."

"Moreover, I give you the opportunity to turn to Me, trust in Me, and I will fulfill the desires of your heart for good. Yet you still do not utilize this and always feel lacking, not relying on Me in all your endeavors."

What is the Joy About?

Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Laws of Lulav 8:15) praises happiness, and writes: "The joy with which a person rejoices in doing a commandment and loving God who commanded them is a great service, and one who restrains from this joy deserves punishment, as it is said: 'Because you did not serve Hashem your God with joy and gladness of heart.'"

His wonderful words also show that the essence of joy is the joy of performing the mitzvah because of the wonderful privilege we have to make Hashem happy. From pure love, comes joy from making our beloved happy.

True joy stems from simple faith, whereas, God forbid, sadness stems from a lack of faith.

As a Jew understands the greatness of the Almighty, learns about His immense love for them, and knows everything Hashem does for him throughout his life is for his ultimate good, driven by pure love, and the Almighty can solve all his problems. Knowing in every need throughout his life, he has on whom to rely, his Father in Heaven.

And if he has not yet received his heart's desires, he understands that the Almighty is wiser than him and knows better what is beneficial for him, and any delay is for his good alone.

Whereas sadness stems from several reasons:

Either because he does not recognize the greatness of Hashem who commanded us these mitzvot, or does not understand Hashem's love for him and how much the Almighty wants the best for him, and he may not understand that the Almighty knows better than him what is good for him, always thinking he deserves more than he has."

Sometimes he thinks he is alone in the world, with no one to turn to solve his problems and troubles, and thus, God forbid, he falls into despair. If someone hurts his honor, he blames everyone and does not understand that Hashem is with him at every moment, in all that happens to him."

And even harm by others comes from the loving hand of Hashem, as King David said when insulted, "Hashem said curse," and if he only looks up to Him, trusting Him to solve all his troubles, the verse will be fulfilled in him (Psalms 37:5), "Commit your way to Hashem, trust in Him, and He will act."

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