Lesson No. 1. The Joy in the Gathering
1. RABASH, Article No. 17 (1986), "The Agenda of the Assembly – 2"
According to what is written, “In the multitude of people is the King's glory,” it follows that the greater the number of the collective, the more effective is the power of the collective. In other words, they produce a stronger atmosphere of greatness and importance of the Creator. At that time, each person’s body feels that he regards anything that he wishes to do for holiness—meaning to bestow upon the Creator—as a great fortune, that he has been privileged with being among people who have been rewarded with serving the King. At that time, every little thing he does fills him with joy and pleasure that now he has something with which to serve the King.
To the extent that the society regards the greatness of the Creator with their thoughts during the assembly, each according to his degree originates the importance of the Creator in him. Thus, he can walk all day in the world of gladness and joy.
2. Maor VaShemesh, VaYechi
The essence of the assembly is for everyone to be in one unity and for all to seek but one purpose: to find the Creator. In every ten there is the Shechina [Divinity]. Clearly, if there are more than ten then there is more revelation of the Shechina. Thus, each one should assemble with his friend and come to him to hear from him a word about the work of the Creator, and how to find the Creator. He should annul before his friend, and his friend should do the same toward him, and so should everyone do. Then, when the assembly is with this intention, then “More than the calf wants to suckle, the cow wants to nurse,” and the Creator approaches them and He is with them.
3. Zohar for All, VaYechi [Jacob Lived], "Jacob", No. 116-117
Divinity is present only in a whole place, and not in a deficient place or a flawed place or a place of sadness, but in a proper place—a place of joy. […] “Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with singing.” There is no service of the Creator unless out of joy.
4. RABASH, Article No. 17 (1991), "What Is, “For I Have Hardened His Heart,” in the work?"
A person must be glad that at least he has a need for spirituality, whereas the rest of the people have no interest in spirituality whatsoever.
When a person appreciates this, although it is not important to him, he does appreciate it and tries to thank the Creator for this. This causes him to acquire importance for spirituality, and from this a person can be happy. By this, a person can be rewarded with Dvekut, since as Baal HaSulam said, “The blessed clings to the Blessed.” In other words, when a person is happy and thanks the Creator, he feels that the Creator has blessed him by giving him a little something of Kedusha, then “The blessed clings to the Blessed.” Through this wholeness, one can achieve real Dvekut.
5. Baal HaSulam, Shamati, Article No. 42, "What Is the Acronym Elul in the Work?"
Those who want to walk in the path of bestowal should always be in gladness. This means that in any shape that comes upon him he should be in gladness since he has no intention to receive for himself. This is why he says that either way, if he is really working in order to bestow, he should certainly be glad that he has been granted bringing contentment to his Maker. And if he feels that his work is still not to bestow, he should also be glad because for himself, he says that he does not want anything for himself. He is happy that the will to receive cannot enjoy this work, and that should give him joy.
6. Baal HaSulam. Shamati 1 “There Is None Else Besides Him”
When one feels some closeness to Kedusha, when he feels joy at having been favored by the Creator. Then, too, he must say that his joy is primarily because now there is joy above, in the Shechina, at being able to bring her private organ near her, and that she did not have to send her private organ out.
And one derives joy from being rewarded with pleasing the Shechina.
7. Baal HaSulam, Shamati, Article No. 26 "One's Future Depends and Is Tied to Gratitude for the Past"
According to the importance one attributes to the holy work, to that extent he should give praise and thanks for it.
This is so because it is true that we cannot appreciate the importance of being able to sometimes observe the Mitzvot [commandments] of the Creator, even without any intention. In that state, one comes to feel elation and joy in the heart.
The praise and the gratitude one gives for it expand the feelings, and one is elated by every single point in the holy work, he knows Whose servant he is, and thus soars ever higher. This is the meaning of what is written, “I thank You for the grace that You have made with me,” meaning for the past, and by this one can confidently say, and he does say, “and that You are destined to do with me.”
8. RABASH, Article No. 386, "This Is the Day that the Lord Has Made"
“This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” “This is the day” means that “this” is called “day,” and not something else. What is it when the Lord “makes”? It is that each one will attain that “we will rejoice and be glad in it.” “In it” means in the Creator, in Dvekut [adhesion] with the Creator, which is called “equivalence of form,” which is that each and every one will understand that there is no greater joy than to bestow contentment upon one’s Maker. This is what we hope for. When the general public achieves this degree, it will be called “the end of correction.”