Parshas Ki Savo 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Sep 12
- 2 min read
תחת אשר לא עבדת את ה' אלקיך בשמחה ובטוב לבב מרב כל ... (כח-מז)
From this posuk, the Torah is clearly detailing to us how critical it is to serve Hakadosh Boruch Hu with happiness. It would seem that שמחה - true happiness and joy, is the antidote or can at least help prevent תוכחה - the harsh curses that we, Rachmana Litzlan, must sometimes endure.
It is told that one year, as the Baal Shem Tov zt”l waited to recite kiddush levana on Motzei Yom Kippur, there was no visible moon as the sky was completely overcast. He saw with ruach hakodesh that it was imperative for it to be recited that night, or the results could be catastrophic for Yidden around the world. He tried all sorts of his holy avodah to clear the skies, but to no avail. The clouds remained overcast and the holy tefillah could not yet be recited.
The Chassidim, oblivious to their Rebbe’s angst and actions, were dancing joyously as every year, to celebrate the culmination of the holy day. Their ecstatic dancing reached a frenzy and they dared to ask their Rebbe to join. He agreed and did indeed dance with them. In the midst of rejoicing, they suddenly realized that the moon appeared! A neis!
The Baal Shem Tov exclaimed: “What I couldn’t accomplish through Kabbalistic supplications was achieved with the simcha we exuded just being עובדי ה' בשמחה.” In fact, the Rebbe, Reb Bunim zt”l quotes the posuk, "כי בשמחה תצאו" - “With happiness you will go out” and explains it as follows: Through the middah of simcha, you will be enabled to leave – to exit – from all your tzaros.
We read these words specifically at this juncture, that we may strengthen our resolve, both personally and communally, to live and serve Hashem b’simcha. Perhaps through the joy we exhibit, Hashem will rescind all גזירות קשות and shower us all with unlimited beracha and besuros tovos! תכלה שנה וקללותיה, תחל שנה וברכותיה!