Sefer HaMiddot, Joy and Happiness, Part I/ספר המדות·שמחה·חלק ראשון

1When a person performs a mitzvah joyously, it is a sign that his heart is wholly with God.

2Joy opens the heart.

3An increase in joy strengthens the intellect. Eating and drinking are excellent means for instilling the heart with joy and for distancing depression and worry.

4Giving charity wholeheartedly brings happiness.

5The joy of a mitzvah strengthens a person.

6When you see a wicked person suddenly smile, clearly it is because he has come up with some scheme for sinning.

7By giving good advice, you will be rewarded with happiness.

8Dancing or energetically moving your body about will awaken feelings of happiness inside you.

9When you find your heart suddenly feeling happy, it is because some Tzaddik has just been born.

10Fear of God brings to religious fervor.

11A person who is lowly in his own eyes will come to religious fervor.

12Intention of the heart brings joy.

13Whoever is accustomed to frivolity clearly is distant from God’s greatness.

14Music will make you happy and bring you to religious fervor.

15By making the Tzaddik happy, you will be able to serve God with joy.

16A person who spreads the Tzaddik’s fame merits happiness.

17Trust in God brings happiness.

18Energetically moving your body about fosters religious fervor.

19Complete faith in God brings you to a level where you’ll desire to serve Him in body and soul.

20A person who is supremely humble merits religious fervor.

21Joy enhances the mind’s comprehension.

22A person’s joy is a sign that he is from a lineage blessed by God.

23Rain falls in the merit of bringing joy to a groom and bride.

24God protects a person when he rejoices in performing a mitzvah.

25By rejoicing on Simchat Torah, a person is rewarded with serving God out of love.

26When happiness comes to a person spontaneously, clearly kindness and help are on the way.

27By being happy, a person’s fame spreads and he merits daat.