By Rabbi Avraham Moeinzadeh:
The Gemarah teaches us in Masechet Chagigah about seven heavens, their names, and what is going on there. The fifth level of the heavens is called “Ma’on.†In this level the mal’achim (angles) are standing and singing for Hashem at night, but are quiet during the day. Gemarah goes on to explain that the reason behind this is because Hashem quiets them down in honor of the mitzvot that the Jews are performing.
The second unique thing about Ma’on is that the midrash says the source of happiness and joy – like an ongoing river – exists there. That is why in the Birkat Hamazon of Sheva Berachot (the time of happiness) we add the words “Shehasimcha bim’ono” (blessed is the one who has happiness constantly existing at his Ma’on). Perhaps these two midrashim are complementing each other.
The true heavenly “simcha” is the one that is being shared with others. That is why Hashem quiets down the angles only during the day since that is the time when people usually do kind acts for each other. Hashem loves this even more than the song of mal’achim and gives his full attention to the one who is performing acts of kindness. That is why one of the only places in the Torah that the word Ma’on is mentioned is in this week’s parasha in confession of maaser. Since by giving Maaser, one is making other people happy he can therefore ask:
השקיפה ממעון קדשיך מן ×”×©×ž×™× ×•×‘×¨×š…
“Look down from your holy Maon from heavens and bless…†(Kliyakar)
Shabbat Shalom.