‘SIMCHA’: THE JOY AS THE ESSENCE OF THE JEWISH PIETY

Abstract

‘Simcha’, the essence of Jewish piety, is a profound expression of a person’s spiritual state. In Judaism it enables us to come closer to God than fasting or mortification. The Torah commandment, ‘Serve the Lord with joy!’ emphasizes that joy is key to receiving a blessing or avoiding a curse. One’s deed is judged by the joyful heart with which it was performed. Simcha accompanies both great holidays such as the Purim, the Sukkot, the Hanukkah, the Passover and the Simchat Torah, as well as family celebrations such as brithmilah, bar mitzvah and chuppah. The Hasidic tradition praises God with music and dance, considering them a form ofperfect prayer. Practicing simcha is a moral obligation and a recommended form of observing the mitzvoth and hence constituting the foundation of the Jewish religious life.