Why Serving God With Joy Is a “Great Form of Divine Service”

“The joy that a person experiences in performing a mitzvah and in loving God, Who commanded it, is a great form of Divine service.

Anyone who holds himself back from this joy deserves to be held accountable, as it is written: ‘Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart’...

True greatness and honor are found in rejoicing before God, as it is written: ‘King David was leaping and dancing before the Lord’...”

(Maimonides, Mishneh Torah, Laws of Shofar, Sukkah and Lulav, Chapter 8, Halacha 15)

The Meaning of the Quote

This teaching from Maimonides emphasizes the importance of joy in performing mitzvot, describing it as a “great form of Divine service.” Joy is not merely an emotion that accompanies a mitzvah; it is a meaningful and profound part of our spiritual service.

Maimonides presents the performance of mitzvot not simply as an obligation, but as an opportunity to rejoice and connect with God through love and gratitude. His words emphasize the importance of approaching mitzvot with a positive spirit and genuine happiness, thereby deepening the spiritual quality of the act itself.

Maimonides goes on to warn that a person who prevents himself from experiencing joy in the performance of mitzvot may be held accountable. He bases this on the verse in Deuteronomy describing the consequences that would come upon the Jewish people “because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart.”

It is not only the performance of the mitzvot that matters, but also the spirit in which we approach them. Joy is an essential element of our relationship with God, and when mitzvot are performed merely as a dry obligation, we may lose some of the deeper meaning of serving Him.

Maimonides concludes with the example of King David, who danced enthusiastically before the Ark of the Covenant. Through this example, he demonstrates that rejoicing in the service of God is a form of true honor, even for someone of the highest stature, such as a king.

King David was not concerned that expressing his joy so openly might diminish his dignity in the eyes of others. His example teaches us that there is nothing shameful about wholehearted joy in serving God. On the contrary, such joy represents genuine greatness and honor.

A Few Words About the Author

Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (1138–1204), known as Maimonides or the Rambam, lived more than 800 years ago. He was one of the greatest halachic authorities of all time and remains one of the most important and revered figures in Jewish history.

A famous saying about him declares, “From Moses to Moses, there arose none like Moses.” He played a central role in articulating the principles of Jewish faith and became known as “the Great Eagle.”

Maimonides authored numerous influential works, including the Mishneh Torah, Guide for the Perplexed, Commentary on the Mishnah, and Sefer HaMitzvot (Book of the Commandments).