Avodas Hashem: True Source of Simcha
Physical things (money, health) are not me, they can be lost overnight, and are not a true source of simcha. True simcha comes from Avodas Hashem which is both inherently meaningful and also is our greatest desire, i.e. eternal life.
Torah Reflects HKBH Even More than Nature Does
Pikudei Hashem mesamchei lev – Ibn Ezra: because the Torah positions you for olam Habbah, which is eternal simcha. Nature and Torah both reflect HKBH, but Torah does it better.
Simcha Generated By Reflection on Mitzvos
Kuzari 2:50 – Real simcha is preceded by thought / reflection. Thought / reflection on mitzvos will cause one to be b’simcha about the wonderful opportunity presented by mitzvos.
Simcha – a Fixture in a Life of Avodas Hashem
Devarim 26:11 – “v’somachta b’chol hatov” – Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh – be happy with that which includes all good, i.e. HKBH, and He gave us good/simcha by giving us Torah. Simcha is a natural reaction to Torah, and thereby should
Avos 4:10-12: Hishtadlus vs Learning vs shcar Olam Hazeh, Anava, Teshuva vs Kapara, L’shem Shomayim, kavod & Moreh
Topics include: 1) balancing hishtadlus for paranassa and learning 2) the need for anava in learning 3) if we are amel b’Torah, HKB”H provides the support system needed in olam hazeh 4) Teshuva & Ma’asim tovim as a shield when
Self-Love vs. Selfishness, and the Role Thereof in the COVID Pandemic
Ramban: it’s impossible to love someone else as much as oneself; V’ahavta l’reia’cha kamocha means love others in all respects in which you love yourself. HKBH created us with a self-love greater than all other loves because our greatest responsibility
The Need for, and Mitzva of, Simcha
Sefer Hachinuch, Mitzvah 488: Shorshei haMitzvos: we need to rejoice at times, just like we need to eat, sleep, etc. HKBH elevated it to a level of mitzvah, and ensures we don’t go off the proper path.There is a need
Simcha in Mitzvos and Learning
See Rambam, Hilchos Lulav, 8:14-15. The natural reaction to being involved in mitzvos is simcha. Simcha will be absent only if I hold myself back from it. Even learning Sha’arei Teshuva, which is very heavy and induces koveid rosh, will
Sha’ar 2:34: Need a Good Working Plan to do Teshuva
Teshuva represents change and improvement. Resolve / sincere desire precedes the teshuva process, but then one has to make changes. Ofttimes we look back and see times we wanted to change but nothing came out of it, and start to
Sha’ar 2:32-34: Capitalizing on Fresh Experiences. Challenge of Doing Teshuva When Older.
Even the impact of powerful, intense experiences wanes; one must act immediately to capitalize on them. When one sins, he experiences anguish, but that will wane as well. He must do teshuva immediately to “cash in” on that anguish.When one