Understanding the Concept of Serving Hashem with Joy

Psalm 100, or “Mizmor l’Todah,” is a familiar Psalm due to its inclusion in Shacharit. It begins with:

מִזְמ֥וֹר לְתוֹדָ֑ה הָרִ֥יעוּ לַ֝ה’ כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

A psalm for praise.Raise a shout for the LORD, all the earth;

This psalm continues with it’s most well-known verse:

עִבְד֣וּ אֶת־ה’ בְּשִׂמְחָ֑ה בֹּ֥אוּ לְ֝פָנָ֗יו בִּרְנָנָֽה׃

Serve the LORD in gladness; come into His presence with shouts of joy.

In this article, we will explore this verse in more depth, particularly focusing on what it means to “serve Hashem with simcha”. What is the nature of this simcha? And what ought our mindset to be when serving Hashem? We will then transition from there to explore the concept of simcha as it pertains to other areas of our lives.

From External Rewards to Inner Joy

Malbim’s commentary on the expression “serve” highlights an important distinction:

There is a difference between serving God and serving a human being. One who serves a human being does not find joy in their work because they are not certain they will receive a reward. Even if they do receive a reward, it is not concurrent with the work itself but comes afterward. Thus, such a person works with sorrow, like one who is engaged in means before achieving the end. However, serving God is itself the reward and the ultimate goal. This service will be done with joy.

In other words, when serving a human being, joy often depends on receiving a reward, such as a salary, which may not always be guaranteed or immediate. This creates a situation where the work feels more like a means to an end, with happiness not being an integral part of the process but rather something anticipated as a future outcome.

In contrast, serving God is described as intrinsically rewarding. The act of serving God itself brings joy and fulfillment, rather than merely being a step towards an external reward. In this view, happiness is not something to be attained later but is built into the service itself. The joy and satisfaction come from the service, making it inherently meaningful and rewarding.

From Chasing to Cherishing: Finding Joy in What You Have

This concept connects to a principle found in Pirkei Avot (4:1), also on the topic of simcha: אֵיזֶהוּ עָשִׁיר, הַשָּׂמֵחַ בְּחֶלְקוֹ – “Who is rich? He who rejoices in his lot”.

…Serving God is described as intrinsically rewarding. The act of serving God itself brings joy and fulfillment, rather than merely being a step towards an external reward. In this view, happiness is not something to be attained later but is built into the service itself. The joy and satisfaction come from the service, making it inherently meaningful and rewarding.

Often, the pursuit of happiness leads us to believe it lies in acquiring things we don’t yet possess. However, real happiness originates from within and is rooted in valuing what we currently have rather than chasing what we lack. Just as serving God provides intrinsic joy, recognizing and valuing our current blessings aligns with the notion that happiness is found within our existing circumstances rather than in a future state.

The Present is a Gift: Finding Joy in Your Current Stage

Similarly, being content with one’s current stage in life—rather than wishing to be older, younger, or in a different situation—reflects the principle that happiness is rooted in the present moment, rather than in what might be or what once was.

Rav Adin Steinsaltz captures this sentiment well¹:

The ideal Jewish way to live life is to live in the present, not to behave as if life begins in the future, nor to see youth as a mere planning stage of adulthood. Neither to spend old age being nostalgic for the past. Not to diminish the significance of the present, not to waste its preciousness. Life is not to be spent dreaming of future happiness; it is to be lived fully, now, when the joy and gift of being alive is close and real and palpable. Fulfillment, if at all possible, can be found in equal measure in each stage of life.

To tie all of these ideas together, Psalm 100’s call to “serve the LORD in gladness” and the insights from Malbim highlight a profound truth: true joy in serving Hashem comes from the act of service itself, not from the expectation of future rewards. The happiness derived from serving God is intrinsic and immediate. Furthermore, recognizing and valuing our current blessings underscores that true happiness is found in the present moment. This perspective aligns with the Pirkei Avot principle, which teaches that true wealth is found in appreciating what we have. Likewise, being content with our current stage in life reflects the idea that fulfillment is rooted in embracing the present rather than longing for what might be or what has been. As Rav Adin Steinsaltz beautifully puts it, living fully in the present allows us to experience joy and fulfillment in each stage of life.

In essence, true fulfillment and joy come from internal sources and are found in the present experience rather than being contingent on external factors or future outcomes.

As women, we can focus on appreciating the intrinsic value of our roles and responsibilities. Whether we are involved in family life, our careers, or community activities, we should aim to find joy in the act of service itself, rather than only in external rewards like public recognition. Shifting our focus from seeking validation to finding satisfaction in our personal contributions can lead to a deeper sense of happiness and fulfillment. By fully engaging in our current roles and experiences, we can also learn to embrace the present moment and find contentment rather than longing for the past or worrying about the future. Happiness is not a distant goal but something we can find within our current circumstances, through the meaningful and joyful engagement in our daily lives.