Are mitzvot good for the Jews?

Hi,

"Once the government decreed that Jews not observe Shabbat or circumcise their children, and that husbands and wives not observe the laws of family purity. R' Reuven ben Istrobili went and took the aristocratic style of haircut and sat among the government leaders.

"He said to them: If someone has an enemy, does he want the enemy to become poor or wealthy?

"They said: He wants the enemy to become poor.

"He said to them: Then let them abstain from work on Shabbat so that they will become poor!

"They said: You spoke well; cancel the decree. And they cancelled it.

"He then said to them: If someone has an enemy, does he want the enemy to become weak or strong?

"They said: He wants the enemy to become weak.

"He said to them: Then let them circumcise their children at eight days, so that they will become weak!

"They said: You spoke well; cancel the decree. And they cancelled it.

"He then said to them: If someone has an enemy, does he want the enemy to become many or few?

"They said: He wants the enemy to become few.

"He said to them: Then let them refrain from living together when she is a niddah!

"They said: You spoke well; cancel the decree. And they cancelled it."

(Talmud, Meilah 17a)

Have a great day,

Mordechai