Torah Study: Joy

Tzvi Freeman wrote:
"There are many kinds of barriers: Those from within and those from without. Barriers between people. Barriers that prevent you from doing good things. Barriers of your own mind and your own hesitations. There are the barriers that exist simply because you are a limited being. Joy breaks through all barriers." What are some barriers between yourself and others? Are there some people that you find yourself in constant conflict with? Psalm 30:5 says: "For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

The word "joy" is the Hebrew word rinnah and it is a feminine noun indicating glad shouting, joyful singing, crying out. It refers to the utterance and sound of a shout, a cry. The root word appears over 50 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. The initial use of the word is in Leviticus 9:24 where the shout of jubilation is connected with a divinely appointed sacrifice. This usage describes the joy of Israel at God's saving acts is seen throughout the Scriptures. The main use of the verb is directed toward God. It would seem that joy doesn't deny the problem, but instead focuses on praise to God in the midst of the problem. Now look at Freeman's quote again. Shouts of praise directed to God will overcome barriers with others! What a method of conflict resolution!

Questions to ponder:
1. What part of "joy" can be found in my life? Remember that in Hebrew, you don't know something unless it impacts your actions.
2. What can I do today to increase my joy?
3. What is God leading me to do based on this teaching?

Post some comments and lets get a community response!
Blessings,
BLJ Sr.