The Inner Measure of True Divine Service

“And the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain, before the eyes of the children of Israel” (Shemot 24:17).

How can a person know whether his service of God truly brings pleasure to God and is accepted in Heaven?

The Kedushat Levi explains that when a person serves God through Torah and mitzvot, and engages diligently and sincerely in good deeds, he brings great pleasure Above. This service of God is not merely the external performance of commandments, but an inner essence of a personal bond with God, one that must arise from genuine enthusiasm and inner desire.

“As it is written, ‘And the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire’ (Shemot 24:17). When a person serves God through Torah and mitzvot, he brings great delight Above.”

To know whether one’s service truly gladdens God, a person can examine his own heart. Does he feel inner warmth or enthusiasm? If he senses that his heart burns with a strong desire to engage in Torah and mitzvot, if he feels inner strength and longing to serve God, this is a sign that he is truly fulfilling God’s will and bringing pleasure Above.

“And when a person wishes to know whether the Holy One, blessed be He, takes pleasure in his service, the test is this: if he sees that his heart burns like fire and he is constantly filled with enthusiasm to serve Him, and he has desire and longing in the service of the Creator, then it is certainly evident that the Holy One, blessed be He, takes pleasure in his service. For this reason, he is assisted from Heaven and sent holy thoughts into his heart.”

When a person’s heart burns, it is a sign that his connection with God is alive, active, and vibrant, and that he is indeed engaged in a form of service that fulfills God’s will. This represents an inner attachment to holiness — not only through actions, but through inner passion and spiritual excitement.