Joy

Simcha refers to both the emotion of joy and the celebration that occasions it—weddings, bar mitzvahs, and births are all called simchot (plural). Judaism considers joy a religious value; the Talmud states that the Divine Presence rests only upon one who is joyful. The phrase 'mitzvah gedolah lihyot b'simcha'—it is a great mitzvah to always be happy—is a well-known teaching.