Everything according to the effort

Four Levels in Serving Hashem – A Torah Insight in the Name of Yosef Shlomo Cohen

In a Torah class I learned from Yosef Shlomo Cohen, a deep yet simple foundation was taught:

There are four levels in serving Hashem. A person can move between them throughout life, and sometimes even within the very same day.

As one rises in level, the joy in serving Hashem also increases.

The levels are:

Servant – Minister – Son – Spouse

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Servant – Acceptance of the Yoke and Limited Joy

The first level is that of a servant.

This is a person who serves Hashem מתוך קבלת עול — out of accepting the yoke. He keeps mitzvot because that is what must be done, because it is the truth, even if the heart does not always feel strong connection or great joy.

The joy exists, but it is limited.

It is the joy of loyalty and of doing what is right, yet still with a certain heaviness.

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Minister – Responsibility, Influence, and Partial Joy

The second level is a minister (sar).

Here a person not only fulfills obligations, but takes responsibility and influences the surroundings. There is leadership, order, and role.

However, in the service of the minister there is still only half effort — he does his part, but does not give his entire heart.

Therefore the joy is also partial: greater than that of the servant, but still limited.

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Son – Closeness, Love, and Expansive Joy

The third level is that of a son.

Here the relationship with Hashem is one of love and closeness. The son serves Hashem from inner desire, not only from obligation.

The joy here is already much deeper and broader.

Even when there is difficulty or a fall, a son remains a son, and the joy comes from the relationship itself.

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Spouse – Complete Bond and Unlimited Joy

The highest level is that of a spouse.

Here serving Hashem is done מתוך חיבור שלם — from a complete bond, full partnership, and a total desire to bring nachat ruach (pleasure) to the Creator.

Like in a true marriage — there is no half effort and no limit.

There is complete giving, deep listening, and absolute belonging.

Therefore, at this level one receives full and unlimited joy — joy that is not dependent on anything, joy of attachment and true connection.

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Summary

Yosef Shlomo Cohen taught that every level in serving Hashem is real and important.

But as a person rises through the levels, he merits greater closeness and greater joy:

From a servant with limited joy,

to a minister with partial joy,

to a son with expansive joy,

and finally to a spouse — where the joy is whole, full, and without limit.