In this week's parsha we read the tochacha which lists the punishments for not following the Torah and Hashem's directive. The Torah states specifically that these tragedies will befall the Jewish People for not serving Hashem "with happiness and a good heart".

The Holy Arizal stated that he was only able to attain the great spiritual level that he attained because he had happiness in performing mitzvot. This may sound easy but in truth it isn't. In most cases people feel that the mitzvot are obligations that are a burden upon us. But with a little bit of reflection we can overcome this way of thinking. Have we considered that the mitzvot were commanded to us by the creator of the world an infinite power, the King of kings? He Has commanded us to perform certain duties to perfect the world. Hashem created the world in such a way that the Jewsih People become "partners" with Him in the master plan.

Imagine the greatest king in the world called you up and asked you to be his private assistant, how would you feel? Would you feel a burden doing the work he requested or would you be immensely happy?  You would realize that through each action you are doing to "help" the king you are attaining closeness to him, you would realize that you are lucky to be tasked with the various jobs given to you by the king.

When we perform mitzvot this is something we can contemplate and it will hopefully help fill us with a sense of happiness. We can start with one mitzvah per day, try to stop for a moment and reflect before performing it as that is the only way one can come to happiness.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath