The Bottom Line
The biggest struggle in leading a frum life is accepting the fact that each one of us has the yoke of avodas Hashem placed upon us, and there is absolutely no choice but to accept it. In fact, the only choice we have is to ask what is expected of us as avdei Hashem and how we can fulfill our role in the best possible way. While we are called a ‘good Jew’ if we fulfill mitzvos from the sense of obligation, Hashem ultimately wishes us to serve him mitoch simcha ve’tuv levav. When we do mitzvos, learn Torah or are מקבל עול מלכות שמים we should do it with simcha, ratzon and pride! This coming week, instead of saying or thinking “I want to do whatever pleases me,” I am going to remember that Hashem took us out from under the yoke of Pharaoh, and we are now avdei Hashem. I will choose one mitzvah that is a little challenging for me, and make a repeated effort in fulfilling the mitzvah until I feel its sweetness. I will try to reach the point where I can say, “Thank You Hashem for giving me עול מלכות שמים ,” and feel truly fortunate to be a frumme Yid who has mitzvos.
