Happiness

Joy is essential for connecting with God. Being joyful when you perform a mitzvah demonstrates that you appreciate that connection, the tremendous privilege of serving the Infinite Author of All Things. In fact, the Arizal, a 16th-century Kabbalistic master, mentioned that the portals of wisdom and divine inspiration opened for him as a reward for performing mitzvot with joy.

Not only mitzvot, but everything you do—eating, sleeping, business, and even leisure activities—can be part of your connection with God. All it takes is the right intention. In this way, serving God with joy applies to every situation. When you are joyful, even the most arduous and tedious tasks become easy and light, and even the most bitter enemies vanish.

A meditation on joy: Think how joyful and excited you would be if you were given the honor and opportunity to host the King in your humble home. Now think of God's greatness and your own insignificance. Behold how much He loves you. Now consider: When you fulfill a commandment, you make God dwell here below, in this world, with us, and you are the host!.