Joy is the energy and spirit, in sync with G-dliness,
strength, and the highest forms of goodness. This isn’t referring to any kind
of joy that may come as a result of drunkenness and foolishness. Frivolity and
silliness is precisely that. Not only a waste of time, and an undignified way
to behave, but because it comes from an unclean source internally, it has the
potential to lead even further down the spiraling staircase, to things much
worse.
Maimonides writes that when a person eats and drinks on the
holidays when it is considered a Mitzvah- good deed to do so, the person should
not be drawn into frivolousness and claim that by doing so he is fulfilling the
G-dly act of being joyous, for this is not simcha – joy, but just unbridled
foolishness. Real joy, always involves the worship of G-d, contact with the
G-dly spark within. This cannot be carried out when one is wild and drunk.
Once the Tzadik – righteous and spiritual Reb Naftali of
Ropshitz noticed one of his students dancing after the morning prayers with
great ecstasy and remarked. “He can dance, and it is not in vain. For he will
grow into a mighty tree, under which many great men will find shelter.” Another
time Reb Naftoli noticed a man dancing, and remarked to one of his students,
“What a pity to wear out a good pair of shoes on dancing of that sort...”
There is delight, joy, singing, real happiness and gladness.
Then, there is what appears like all that, but is at best a waste of time and a
waste of a good pair of shoes.
Once a student came to Rabbi Shnuer Zalman and complained he
was being assaulted by all kinds of crazy and foreign thoughts that disturbed
him greatly. The Rabbi told him, “They gather in empty spaces.” Fill your mind with upbeat, positive thoughts
of faith and trust, and there will be no room for anything negative.
The same is with joy. If a person does not think, speak, and
act in joy, knowing the opportunity G-d grants us every day to make a
difference in our own lives and in the world around us, the thought processes
of our souls are drawn to all the negative ends, to fulfill its very natural
desire for joie de vivre.
This same Rabbi Shnuer Zalman would instruct people with
troubles, to pray with melodious singing and joy, for doing so, “sweetens the
energies of severity”. Any negative verdict that may be hanging over a person,
and the adversaries from the heavenly courts is eliminated through joy and
happiness especially when one grasps how fortunate we are every day, that G-d
grants us life, to accumulate more good deeds and make more of ourselves.
In the book of the Zohar- the seminal book of mysticism it
is written – when a person is happy in this world, he is dealt with from above,
in happiness and abundance. When a person conducts himself in sadness,
sluggishness and laziness, he will be dealt with in a similar vein from above.
In restraint and restriction.
A very important principle in serving G-d is expressed in
the last words of the code of Jewish Law. “A good heart is always festive.”
This statement can be read as both a prediction and a statement of fact. A good
heart will always lead to being festive. Or, this statement could be read. It
is always good, no matter where, or how, a person finds himself, to live with a
festive heart at all times.
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