Commentary for Avodah Zarah 37:4
במצותיו חפץ מאד אר"א במצותיו ולא בשכר מצותיו והיינו דתנן הוא היה אומר אל תהיו כעבדים המשמשין את הרב על מנת לקבל פרס אלא היו כעבדים המשמשין את הרב שלא על מנת לקבל פרס
“Who desires his commandments exceedingly:” R. Elazar said: “His commandments,” but not the reward of His commandments. This is what was taught, “He used to say, Be not like servants who serve the master on the condition of receiving a reward; but be like servants who serve the master without the condition of receiving a reward.”
Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah
Elazar reads into the verse that to be happy one should serve God without the hope of any external reward. This same message is found in a mishnah from Avot.
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