"You did not serve God your Lord with joy and
contentment." [Deut 28:47]
In 5670 (1910), when Rav Kook was the rabbi of Jaffe, he was asked: how
does one inspire oneself to serve God in joy and strength?
In a letter dated Iyyar 22 (May 31), Rav Kook responded:
It is difficult to briefly explain this fundamental aspect of serving
God. The main inspiration for people like me is to set aside considerable
time for thorough study of the spiritual part of Torah, and not let it be
cast aside for occasional reading. [With such study]
the light of the soul shines, and the spirit of happiness and strength
electrifies a heart which sincerely seeks the truth.
Nonetheless, I will not withhold the benefit of laying down one
important principle - although this too can not be fully understood
without much study and contemplation. Still it will provide a 'handle' for
the desire to achieve love of God and the light of our holy Torah.
It is manifest that even the basest individual would be thrilled to
perform good deeds with joy and strength if he understood that through
such actions could benefit the entire universe, with all its infinite
number of worlds. All laziness and weakness stems purely from lack of
belief in the extent of the good which we truly perform for all of
creation, through Torah study, mitzvot, service, and refinement of
character. For this purpose God enlightened our eyes with the writings of
the holiest tzadikim, masters of the Kabbala. They extended our
understanding of the preciousness of serving God, and how our service can
uplift all of existence in all its parts.
But this idea needs to be brought closer to the intellect, in order for
the inspiration to be powerful and the joy well-founded.
This mental image comes by understanding the concept of 'spiritual
unity'. That is to say: the light of each individual soul is connected to
the collective soul of all existence. All created things draw the light of
their perfection from this collective soul. We have the power to add light
in our souls at all times through Torah, wisdom, mitzvot, prayer, and
character refinement. If we recognize any time we enlighten our own souls,
that we care not just for ourselves but for all of existence, then we can
bestow perfection and life to all things.
Through us, the righteous gains greater power in his service of God.
The evil of the wicked becomes lessened and sweetened to some extent;
thoughts of repentance come to him. Even the animals are enobled, in
accordance to their value. From the beautiful holiness which is added by
one soul which truly cares about all of existence, even those creatures
who tend to attack and damage are refined. And certainly great light is
added to the sublime splendor of the souls, and in all levels of the
spiritual worlds, boundless in their beauty and sanctity.
[Igrot HaRiya I, letter 301]
How to Serve God in Joy
