In the Parsha by the Cheit Heigel the passuk says . קֵחַצְל וּמֻקָיַּו לב ו HaRav Shamshon Refoel Hirsh Zatzal says that the difference between serving Hashem and worshipping idols, is that an Oved Hashem is Mach'nia submits to the will of Hashem. He is a “giving” type of person, who is so thankful to his Maker, that he looks for Eitzos how to give a Nachas Ruach to Hashem.
R' Yaakov Yosef Herman Zatzal [“All for the Boss”] was asked by an Einikel what was the secret of his greatness? He asked the Einikel: What do you think about when you walk in the street? “About my business and how I can support my family better”. R’ Herman Zatzal told him that when he walks in the street, he thinks of Eitzos “How can I give Hashem a Nachas Ruach?”
RSRH Zatzal continues to explain that those who worship Avoda Zara are looking to get something out of their gods, and when he brings his god a Korban, he is hoping that he’ll thereby be allowed to fulfil so many of his evil desires. Those who are working on Bitachon and become frustrated when they aren’t getting what they want, should remember that Yiddishkeit is all about GIVING to Hashem!
It is known that in the gentile world of entertainment, the top humorists are usually Jewish. These non-frum entertainers have religious Jewish roots, which are loaded with Simcha. A “giving” religion is a happy religion. When an idol-worshiper wouldn’t get what he wants, he would angrily curse and spit at his god, like it says: לֵלִּקְו ףַצַּקְתִהְו בַﬠְרִי יִכ הָיָהְו ויָה˄אֵבוּ וֹכְּלַמְבּ אכ ח היעשי when hungry, he becomes angry at his god and curses it.
For good reason did Rav Wainkrantz Zatzal say that hours of learning Chovos Halvavos gives us much more Simcha than wine, or dancing and singing. This Sefer changes your mode from being a “taker”, to being a “giver”. This: ַא ִב ַא י וֹבת founding father of Mussar Seforim is loaded with the Yesod of gratitude to Hashem. The “Chovos Halvavos mentality” is what caused so many Jews to happily give their lives Al Kiddush Hashem.
There were many Novardok Talmidim who used to cry when they davened Shmoneh Esrei. Learning Mussar and especially Chovos Halvavos gives you a: רָשָׂבּ בֵל feeling heart. R' Nosson Wachtfogel Zatzal used to talk loads about having a true Lev. It’s worth investing time, with lots of Chovos Halvavos, to develop a Lev Tahor; which is the Ikar. It will make you much happier, and more “real”.
RSRH says that a person is loaded with Gevaldig potential which never surfaces. It’s like a seed that dries up and never grows. But when a person brings Hashem into his life, this causes his potential to blossom in all its glory. Learning Chovos Halvavos brings Hashem into your life, especially with a soft Niggun; it will wake up your soul.
R' Nosson Wachtfogel Zatzal said that crying is the: ְשׂ ַפ ַה ת ֵלב language of the heart. He was a major: ַבּ ַﬠ ֶבּ ל ִכ י emotional person. He was alive! [not a dormant dried out seed]! Despite all your learning and Chasadim, often a person needs Davka Mussar, like it says in Mishlei: ˃יֶיַּח איִה יִכּ ָהֶרְצִּנ ףֶרֶתּ לַא רָסוּמַּבּ קֵזֲחַה גי ד Grab onto Mussar, it is your LIFE!
