The Ramchal continues: “This is what is chosen by those who serve G-d with a whole heart. For he who does not cleave to G-d with a true love will find the purification of this service to be very tedious and burdensome. He will say: ‘who can possibly withstand this? We are physical creatures, born of woman. It is impossible to attain such great refinement and purification. But those who love G-d, who desire in His service, will rejoice in demonstrating their faithfulness of love before Him, blessed be He, and in strengthening themselves in refining and purifying it. This is what David himself concluded saying, ‘[Your Word is very pure;] therefore Your servant loves it’ (Tehillim 119:140).” (ibid. Chapter 16)
If someone truly loves Hashem will not be deterred by the challenge ahead of them and will realize that life is about the struggle. Furthermore, the more we invest in the relationship, the more the other party appreciates it. Rabbi Yaakov Hillel, Shlita, (in Ascending the Path) makes a strong comparison to someone who wants to give a gift to a person he loves greatly.
We want the receiver to like and enjoy the gift, as well as recognizing the positive thoughts that went into the gift. This is the level that Dovid Hamelech aspired to and reached – he directed himself to Hashem fully, lovingly, and with all his heart – with no other considerations.
To be continued next week, B’Ezras Hashem.
