Despite the wave of brutal Arab Terror engulfing Israel, we must continue to observe Mitzvot. Just as it is a Mitzva to put on Tefilin, so it’s also a Mitzva to smile. The Torah in Bereshit Ch. 1 states, “ And G-d created the great Sea Monsters.” The Talmud in Bava Basra 74 explains that this verse refers to the Leviathan and its mate.

Why did G-d create these enormous Sea Creatures? The Talmud in Avoda Zara 3 gives a strange answer to this question. The Talmud there states that G-d’s schedule is comprised of daily activities, including one devoted to playing with the Leviathan. Rav Solovetichik asks, “Is there any theological or religious value for this statement to be included in the Tora Sheb’al Peh?” What moral or halachic message is conveyed in this strange teaching? The Talmud bases this statement about G-d on a verse in Ps. 104:26, “This Leviathan You formed to L’SACHEK BO” (to play and joke with it).

Rav Soloveitchik in Nefesh HaRav states that this teaching is important for the Mitzva of “V’HALACHTA BIDRACHAV” (Devarim 28) (imitating and following in G-d’s ways). The Rav suggested that this information helps us to realize a more G-dly personality by recognizing that one does not have to take everything in life so seriously. The Rav’s intent was to point out the importance of having a sense of humor in life.

The Vilna Gaon states that the goal of most of the Mitzvot of the Torah is to give Simcha (joy) to a fellow Jew. Thus humor represents our ability to maintain an accurate perspective in life. We can therefore propose that G-d KAVIYACHOL has a sense of humor. To prove this point, the Talmud in Moed Katan 25 states that “When a Tzadik dies, G-d rejoices with his soul as a Groom does with his Bride.”

In this spirit, let us smile and be glad despite our pain by trust and faith in G-d, the Source of all rejoicing and gladness. As the prophet Chavakuk says, “The righteous person lives by his faith.”