Celebrating a MItzvah
Rabbi Mordechai Tzernobiler said: "The banquet which we Jews give to celebrate a mitzvah is more worthy than the mitzvah itself." A parable illustrates this:
The Satan brought many serious accusations against the Jews, and their defender, the Archangel Michael, knew of no arguments in their behalf. After a while he said: 'The few mitzvoth which Jews perform, offset their many transgressions. When a Jew performs a circumcision, he gives a banquet, beause he is overjoyed at having done a mitzvah. Have you ever seen a Jew, however, celebrating when he transgresses? This demonstrates that he feels no joy in his offense, and only succumbs becuae of wekaness. In the mitzvah he feels intense happiness.' This defense before the Heavenly Tribunal proved successful.
"hHnce you see," continued the Tzernobiler, "how important is the celebration of a mitzvah!"
Source: Aterett ha-Zaddikim
