Choosing Joy in Difficult Times
Parshat Ki Tavo; Deuteronomy 26:1-29.8
Why does the Torah ask us to serve G-d with joy—especially when joy sometimes feels so out of reach? This question sits at the heart of this week’s reading (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8), that holds some of the Bible’s most daunting verses. As Moses warns the Israelites of the consequences of turning away from G-d, we read what’s known as the tochachah, “The Rebuke”—forty-five verses of heart-wrenching threats and curses, so intense that they’re still read in a hushed voice in synagogues today.
Yet, within these verses, the Torah quietly reveals the root cause for such hardship:
“All these curses will befall you…because you did not serve the Lord, your G-d, with happiness and with gladness of heart, when [you had an] abundance of everything.” (Deuteronomy 28:45–47)
It’s a striking idea. The Torah points not to a lack of ritual or belief, but to a lack of joy. Why would failing to serve G-d with happiness be so significant? After all, joy is an emotion—unpredictable, sometimes elusive. Can we really be expected to summon happiness on command, especially when life is challenging or faith feels distant?
This challenge isn’t new—our sages and mystics have long grappled with the same question. They recognized that for some, joy in spiritual life comes naturally, almost effortlessly. For those attuned to their soul’s yearning, serving G-d with gladness is the most natural thing in the world, as instinctive as cheering for a beloved team or savoring a favorite song.
But what about the rest of us—the times when joy doesn’t come easily, when the heart feels blocked or burdened? Here, Kabbalah offers a radical and hopeful teaching: joy is not only a gift, it’s also a choice. While we might not be able to flip a “happiness switch,” we do have the power to guide our minds and hearts toward joy. By reflecting on the meaning behind our actions—remembering that each act of kindness, each moment of goodness, is a chance to connect with the Divine—we can gently steer ourselves toward gratitude and uplift, even when it feels unnatural at first.
This isn’t about ignoring pain or pretending all is well. Life is complicated, and suffering is real. Rather, the Torah is empowering us to discover the freedom that comes with agency—the ability to shape our inner world, even when the outer world feels overwhelming. We can choose what to focus on, meditate on what is good, and open ourselves to moments of gladness.
So when joy feels distant, consider it an invitation: pause, find something—however small—that brings light, and remind yourself that you have the capacity to let joy in. In doing so, we fulfill the Torah’s call not just to serve, but to serve with a full and grateful heart.
May you find moments of genuine happiness this week, and may those sparks of joy bring blessing to all you do.
I wish you a good week and Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Yonatan Hambourger