by Reb Gutman Locks @ Mystical Paths

     The Talmud [i] refers to Rav Bruna as “a great man who rejoices with (the performance of) mitzvahs.” We learn two very interesting things from this short description of this sage. First, that apparently, not all great men rejoice when doing mitzvahs, and second, that rejoicing when doing a mitzvah is an improvement over greatness. How wonderful is this spiritual joy that it elevates even a sage to a still higher level of greatness. 

     What is so unique about even a trouble-free mitzvah that rejoicing over it will make a person who is already great, greater? And how do we learn to rejoice when we do such things as put on tefillin, or listen to a shofar?

     When we do a mitzvah, G-d makes us holy! Before doing a mitzvah we say: Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, Who makes us holy with His mitzvahs… In the entire world, is there any better thing to become? What a treasure is even the simplest mitzvah! Remember this when you do a mitzvah. It will make you happy.

[i] Gemara Berachos 9b