BS’D
Rabbi Yisrael the Baal Shem Tov HaKadosh, the founder of the Chassidic movement, was once asked: “Why is it that Chassidim burst into song and dance at the slightest provocation? Is this the behavior of a healthy, sane individual?”
The Baal Shem Tov responded with a story:
Once, a musician came to town — a musician of great but unknown talent. He stood on a street corner and began to play.
Those who stopped to listen could not tear themselves away, and soon a large crowd stood enthralled by the glorious music whose equal they had never heard. Before long they were moving to its rhythm, and the entire street was transformed into a dancing mass of humanity.
A deaf man walking by wondered: Has the world gone mad? Why are the townspeople jumping up and down, waving their arms and turning in circles in middle of the street?
“Chassidim,” concluded the Baal Shem Tov, “are moved by the melody that issues forth from every creature in G-d’s creation. If this makes them appear mad to those with less sensitive ears, should they therefore cease to dance?”
The Baal Shem Tov taught that it is not enough to be happy only during times of tefillah, Torah learning and doing mitzvot. Rather, Hashem is everywhere and can can be found in all happenings. Therefore, all that occurs in our life, everything that we see, hear and experience presents us with an opportunity to know and serve Hashem. It is impossible to go about any occurrence without connecting with HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Consequently we should strive to be joyful always as this is the key to all of our avodah in this world.
Today’s daily dose is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Daphna Devorah bat Rivka Baila. May Hashem bless her with complete healing of the body and soul and be blessed with only revealed good in every aspect of her life, Amen.
