The Torah describes the tochacha, the many curses and misfortunes that will befall the Yidden when Hashem is angry with them. We would imagine that these terrible things will happen if Klal Yisroel does not keep the Torah. However, the pasuk says that we deserve the tochacha because we did not serve Hashem b’simcha u’bituv lei’vov, we did not serve him joyfully.
The meforshim struggle to understand this idea. The Yidden are doing everything right, they are fulfilling all the mitzvos. They just are not doing it with a smile. Is this a reason they deserve such harsh punishments?
We find a similar concept regarding the mitzva of kibud av. The Gemara describes how two individuals treated their father the exact same way. However, one did it warmly, expressing the love in his heart. The other did it begrudgingly, and he only showed how resentful he was to be doing this action. The Gemara notes that one earns Olam Haba’ah for his mitzva, while the other receives the opposite.
The same standard can be applied here, as well. If we do the mitzvos as obligations, without feeling the excitement and the zchus to be serving Hashem, then our actions are almost worthless. Like a guf without a neshama, a mitzva with no inner spark is inanimate and meaningless.
Perhaps we can suggest another approach. The Orchos Tzadikim explains that it is not always so simple to classify something as positive or negative. It might depend on whether one is using it in the appropriate measure. For example, if you drink a reasonable amount of wine, it can have a positive effect on a person, lifting his spirits. However, if you drink too much, you will become lightheaded, and this leads to all sorts of undesirable behavior. When the pasuk says to serve Hashem b’simcha, it means the type of joy that brings us closer to Him. If we are frivolous or drunk, it is not conducive to serving Hashem.
This might be the intention of the pasuk. Yes, we served Hashem, and we even served Him with joy. But it was not a joy that was rooted in the tremendous earnestness that should accompany all avodas Hashem. It was carefree and loose, and so we deserved the tochacha.
The Torah Temimah suggests a completely different way of reading the pasuk. We deserve the tochacha because lo avadita es Hashem Elokecha, because we did not serve Hashem - b’simcha, and we did so happily and willingly! It is one thing to fall into bad habits and commit aveiros, but to do so regretfully, wishing we had the strength to withstand these challenges. However, if we are complacent and calm about our sins, we stand very little chance of doing teshuva. Since we were content with our lack of avodas Hashem, He needed to bring the tochacha.
We find several examples in the Torah where we were condemned mainly for approaching matters lightly. For example, Moshe did not break the luchos after learning that the Yidden served the eigel. It was only after he saw the dancing and celebration that he cast down the luchos. If the Yidden had merely performed avodah zara, there are ways for them to atone and repair the damage. But since they were doing so with a light and easy heart, this means they rejected Hashem and do not deserve the luchos.
Similarly, the Yidden were not punished for attending Achashveirosh’s feast. Even though they did not listen to Mordechai, they might have felt it necessary, and this would not have brought such a terrible decree. It was because ne’henu, they enjoyed the party, and joined in the celebrations, that brought Hashem’s wrath.
The pasuk adds that we did not serve Hashem mei’rov kol, from a great abundance. The words themselves seem to contradict each other. Rov means most, while kol means all.
Rav Givter ztz”l explained that we find these two terms used by Yaakov and Eisav, respectively. Yaakov was always samei’ach b’chelko, satisfied and convinced that he had whatever he needed. Therefore, he said, yesh li kol, I have everything. Eisav, on the other hand, said yesh li rav, I have plenty. Whatever he had, he was never satisfied, and always hungered for more.
Knowing this distinction is the formula for a happy life. Whatever we have, whatever our rov is, we need to make it our kol. Someone else might have more than you, but that does not mean it brings him any more satisfaction. We each have kol, everything Hashem feels we truly need. Eizehu ashir, hasamei’ach b’chelko. If we are content with our lot, we are truly wealthy.
There is another reason to be satisfied with one’s lot. No one knows what the future holds in store for them. Therefore, no matter what we experience, we should embrace it willingly, because it might bring us the greatest bracha. And the reverse is true as well. Instead of beings disappointed when something does not go our way, we should stop and realize that this is not meant for us, and it is very possible that it would not have brought us happiness.
In his sefer Shiurei Da’as, Rav Yosef Leib Bloch ztz”l brings a story that illustrates this point perfectly. There were two friends living in Telz who were in the same line of work. They both harbored the same dream – to move their business to the big city and strike it rich. Eventually, one of them managed to make his dream a reality, and he left the town. As he had hoped, his business grew and prospered, and he became very wealthy. Meanwhile, his friend was stuck behind in the small town. He could barely contain his jealousy, and became very broken from the whole story.
Just a few months later, his entire perspective changed. War broke out, and all Jews were expelled from the large city. The wealthy friend’s business could not sustain the changes, and he was left destitute, while some of his family succumbed to the difficult situation and passed away. The fellow back at home now saw what a tragedy he avoided. His business was stable, his family was well, and he learned a powerful lesson about emunah and sameiach b’chalko.
Rav Shneur Kotler ztz”l related that during hre post-war years, his father, Rav Aharon ztz”l, sent someone on a mission for Va’ad Hatzala. A few hours after his flight took off, his family received a telegram informing them that the plane had crashed. There were no survivors, and this person’s name was listed among the deceased passengers. However, Rav Aharon instructed his wife and family not to sit shiva, because we know shliach mitzva eino nizakin, the mitzvah certainly protected him from harm. The woman was incredulous, and showed him the official telegram she received, but Rav Aharon was adamant. Three days later, the person returned to his family, alive and well. He explained that he realized he had a yartzeit, so he did not board the flight as scheduled.
We do not control our future, nor can we accurately predict where our anything will lead us. We can only live in the present, appreciating everything Hashem gives us right now, and trusting in Him to continue to take care of us.
