Chabadniks are known to be ‘Happy Jews’. So its no surprise when a fellow once told me that he doesn’t enjoy being happy. He prefers to miserable. Its his nature to be more serious than frivolous. I told him: ‘its totally ok to be miserable….if that’s what make you happy!!’
We often think that happiness is a reward you collect when everything in your life is absolutely perfect. When you finish paying the mortgage on your third home, drive a Lexus and perfect your golf swing, you have reached happiness.
Indeed the English word ‘happy’ comes from the word hap, which means ‘luck’. When one experiences good fortune, one reaches happiness.
But Torah teaches us the opposite: Happiness is not a result of your environment, it’s actually the cause of it.
In the Psalms, King David exposes us to a deep mystical truth: ‘G-d is your shadow’ (Psalms 121:4) teaches us that like a shadow follows a person, so too does G-d mimic our mood. When we’re down, He sends us limited blessing (like sadness is lethargic and slow energy); when we’re happy, He sends us overflowing blessings (like joy is exciting, overflowing energy)!
In this week’s Torah Portion, we read the about G-d informing Abraham that he would sire a son, despite his old age. G-d makes sure to tell Abraham to name the boy ‘Yitzchak’ means laughter and happiness. Anticipating the cynicism they would face from within and without, G-d instructs them to be happy and to focus on positive energy as encapsulated by the name of their future son, so as to enable the extraordinary blessing to be fulfilled in actuality!
Indeed, modern science supports this ancient Jewish Truth as seen here – that happiness brings success. But Torah tells us why!
The message is inspiring and empowering. (Maybe that's why we had over 50 people at the first session our Happiness Seminar this week.): You hold the keys to your success. As long as you're happy, G-d will be your shadow and rain abundance and joy upon you too!!
Let's make it a really happy Shabbos!
Rabbi Dovid and Chana Vigler