“God’s infinite light needs an infinite vessel. The name of that vessel is joy.”
Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach (1925 – 1994)

We are commanded to serve God, b’simcha, with joy, because joy is the natural state of the soul that sees the wonders of the universe and its Creator, and trusts in His Goodness.

The 19th Century Chassidic Rabbi, Nachman of Breslov, instructed his followers: “If you don’t feel happy, pretend to be. Even if you are depressed, put on a smile. Act happy. Genuine joy will follow….Remember, things can go from the very worst to the very best…in just the blink of an eye.”