Jewish learning and living are not meant to be ascetic pursuits. On the contrary, a Jewish life devoid of
joy is considered empty and ephemeral. Only a Jewish life steeped in joy will prove everlasting and
worth perpetuating.
From the Bible to the Talmud to chassidic masters to Larry David, joy has been embedded in the fabric of the Jewish experience and soul. Joy, one might argue, has sustained the Jewish people on their often-turbulent journey through history.
Jewish joy pops in a firework of spontaneous ecstasy, but its sparkle comes from its rootedness in purity and devotion. Jewish joy is not untethered, hedonistic, or frivolous. Joy paves a path towards a relationship with God, Torah, and community, and then joy emerges as the product and reward of those encounters. The Baal Shem Tov teaches that the verse "עבדו את ה׳ בשמחה" / "Serve God with happiness" (Psalms 100:2) means, "The happiness itself is your service of God".
Reflection:
How do you create joy?
What holds you back from experiencing and expressing joy?
Lived practice:
Enjoy this one!! Don't look it as a "free day;" rather, make this day about intentional joy. Seek it out. Create it. Play music. Find it in the everyday. Allow yourself to stop multitasking and just sit with joy.
Enjoy this one!! Don't look it as a "free day;" rather, make this day about intentional joy. Seek it out. Create it. Play music. Find it in the everyday. Allow yourself to stop multitasking and just sit with joy.
