JOY AND MOSHIACH

Whoever is of the seed of Israel ought to rejoice in the joy of G‑d, Who is happy and joyous with His abode among the creatures of the lower spheres, who are on the level of actual physical Asiya. 

Dear Reader sh’yichyeh,

In last week’s article we started explaining that - in addition to the fact that in the month of Adar we must add in joy - serving Hashem with joy is connected to bringing Moshiach.

In Tanya (which “has all the answers to all the questions”) the Alter Rebbe explains the source of joy of a Jew. The Alter Rebbe brings an analogy of the joy that one would have if he were to find out that a king would want to come to his home and spend time just with him. Similarly, each Jew should feel extremely excited that even though we live in this lowly physical world, Hashem wants us to build his home here so that he can dwell with us.

 He writes (chapter 33): This is the meaning of the verse, “Let Israel rejoice in its Maker” (note the expression: “Maker”, not “Creator” or the like) - Whoever is of the seed of Israel ought to rejoice in the joy of G‑d, Who is happy and joyous with His abode among the creatures of the lower spheres, who are on the level of actual physical Asiya. The word translated “in its Maker” (בעושיו) shares a common root with עשיה, the lowest level of creation. With this abode in particular ought Israel rejoice, knowing that G‑d’s joy is especially great when the creations in Asiya, the very lowest world, become an abode for Him.

I was recently invited to speak to a group of elementary students about the above-mentioned concept. In the course of the class, one of the boys asked: Can you explain in the simplest words, why is serving Hashem with joy such an important component in bringing Moshiach?

I thought for a moment and then explained: There is a misconception about the times of Moshiach. It is not a time of “freedom” and fun. It is a time when we will be free - externally from the goyim and internally from the Yetzer Hara - to serve Hashem and to finally be able to fulfill all 613 Mitzvos.

Hashem wants to see if we want all these “extra” mitzvos. The only way that we can show him how much we want them is by excelling - and showing that we are joyful - in the ones that we have already. If Hashem sees us being “depressed and heavy” about the Mitzvos that we currently do, it would not inspire Him to “burden” us with more. If, however, we show Hashem that we love every opportunity to serve him, he will give us the rest of the Mitzvos with the revelation of Melech HaMoshiach, Amen!

Rabbi Avtzon is the Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Lubavitch Cincinnati and a well sought after speaker and lecturer. Recordings of his in-depth shiurim on Inyanei Geula u’Moshiach can be accessed at http://www.ylcrecording.com.