Succot

Succot

The Vilna Gaon was once asked what the hardest mitzva to perform in the Torah is. He replied by saying that he had examined all the mitzvot, and that the hardest one to perform is undoubtedly the mitzva to rejoice during Succot. The Torah explains that one must rejoice every instant of the seven days and nights of the festival. During that time, it is forbidden to have any sad thoughts whatsoever. That, the Vilna Gaon said, is indeed the hardest mitzva to perform.

However, what's so difficult about being happy? Happiness doesn't require any work!?! Why did the Vilna Gaon consider happiness during Succot the hardest mitzva in the Torah?

Let's first learn the greatness and importance of happiness...

The Midrash (Tanna D'Bei Eliyahu Zutta, Ch. 17) states that the true essence of torah could only be experienced in happiness. Additionally, the Gemara (Shabbat, 30b) states that the divine providence only rests in a place of happiness. Similarly, the Gemara (Chagigah, 5a) relates that in Hashem's dwelling place there only exists joy. Furthermore, the Gemara (Shabbat, 30b) states that happiness causes good dreams. Lastly, the Gemara (Yerushalmi: Sukkah, 5;1) states that divine inspiration will never enter an unhappy heart.

However, how does one learn to become happy? What is the key to happiness?

Two pesukim before the commandment to be happy (Devarim, 16;14), the Torah tells us, "And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt; and you shall watch and do these statues" (Devarim, 16;12). Hashem is telling us to remember that He took us out of the land of Egypt, tended to our every need in the desert for 40 years, then brought us to the land of Israel. In other words, Hashem only wants the best for us. Similarly, the Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 325) writes that the mitzvah of Sukkah is designed so that we remember all the miracles Hashem performed for us in the desert.

When one recognizes that Hashem is always there for them--happiness becomes natural. Hashem doesn't simply command us to be happy on Succot. He first tells us that we should recognize that everything is for the best. Once one recognizes this fact, one can easily fulfill the commandment to be happy for the 7 days of Succot.

Going back to the story about the Vilna Gaon, perhaps we can now understand why he considered happiness for the 7 days of Succot the hardest mitzva to perform in the whole Torah. True happiness requires constant awareness and recognition of everything Hashem provides us with. Although everyone wants to be happy, giving Hashem credit for everything you do is something very difficult to do. Therefore, the Vilna Gaon said that happiness during the 7 days of Succot is the hardest mitzva in the Torah to perform.

However, why exactly is happiness so important?

In parshat Ki Tavo we have 98 curses, and the reason given for them is (Devarim, 28;47): "Since you did not serve Hashem, your G-d, with joy and good heartedness, in total affluence"

I think the Torah is teaching us a very important lesson. Even if we fulfill all the mitzvot, if we do them simply out of fear/habit then they really don't mean anything to us. We have to take the mitzvot to our hearts and fulfill them out of love. And why is that? Because if we don't follow in Hashem's ways in happiness then we fail to establish a connection with Him--which is the whole point of performing mitzvot. Therefore, in order to become closer to Hashem we must constantly push ourselves to be in a state of happiness.

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov (Likutei HaMaHaRan Tanina, chapter 24) states that it's a great mitzvah to constantly be full of joy. In fact, Rabbi Nachman goes on to say that when one lacks joy it leads to illness, and only through rejoicing can the illness be cured. Due to constant life troubles, happiness at times could be very hard. But one must always make effort to push themselves "over the hill" and gladden themselves.

Summary: According to the Vilna Gaon, the hardest mitzvah in the torah to fulfill is to be happy all 7 days of Succot. Why? Because true happiness requires constant awareness and recognition that Hashem is the source of everything. The Torah hints this to us by telling us to remember how Hashem freed us from Egypt right before the commandment to be happy (Devarim, 16;12, 14). It is only through happiness that one can establish a connection with Hashem, for He only dwells in places of joy (Chagigah, 5a). We must make sure to perform all of His commandments out of love and not out of fear/habit, for it is only through love which we could establish a connection with Him. It's a GREAT mitzvah to be constantly full of joy, and we should all learn how to gladden our hearts during times of trouble.