Therefore, there is something wrong with the picture if someone feels he can’t be happy because Torah is such a burden. Once, a Chassidic Rebbe who was in his elderly years was called to lift up the Torah. His students were aghast as they felt he was far too frail for such a task. To everyone’s amazement he lifted it up with great ease. His students asked him later how he was able to do it. He answered with a smile that when a person lives according to Torah, he doesn’t lift it up, rather the Torah lifts him up!

Many newly observant Jews experience a let down after the initial exuberance of living Torah wears out. Too much too fast, can easily boomerang. Others who are religious from birth “burn out” due to a lack of understanding the deeper meanings of the mitzvahs. Both scenarios are real and legitimate problems. Thus, one should be advised to take on Torah observance at a pace that feels right and natural and to seek teachers who can inspire and explain the more spiritual aspects of Torah. If there is no joy in being religious it is incumbent upon us to search deeply within and to receive outer guidance how to make a Torah life all it could be.