21 Feb BE HAPPY

Mi’shenichnas Adar marbim b’simcha, When
the month of Adar begins, our simcha
increases.
Chodesh Adar, the month of Adar is a time of
simcha, joy and celebration.
Does Adar have magical powers, bringing
with its arrival simcha, making everyone
happy? In a world filled with so much
uncertainty, struggles and upheaval, a world
where no one is free from personal challenges,
is it possible to experience blissful happiness?
Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l teaches
that Adar in itself does not promise instant
gladness. But it is a most propitious time to
take charge of our inner happiness.
With the life lessons of the Purim miracle in
mind, we strengthen our emunah and bitachon,
knowing that there is a master plan, and all
will work out for the best.
The Baal Shem Tov teaches that the Hebrew
word b’simcha, being in a state of happiness
has the same letters as the Hebrew word
machshava, thought. A message to us. Yes, we
can think ourselves happy.

Happiness is a state of mind. If we think
positive thoughts, we can erase our fears, and
wipe out our worries. If we put our trust in
HaShem, happiness can enter the picture.
Our neshamos are only so big – and if it is
filled with negativity, there isn’t any room left
for simcha.
Several years ago, my mother a”h fell and
required hip-replacement surgery.
Following intense physical therapy, my
mother was ready to take her first steps. One,
two, three steps. Holding on to the walker,
Ima slowly made her way down the hospital
corridor.
My mother was admired by all the nurses, and
they gathered to cheer her on, with one
lovingly calling out, “Our ballerina!”
Ballerina? Some ballerina, my mother thought
to herself. A ballerina hops and skips, twirls
and swirls. And here I am with my walker.
Always searching for a deeper message, my
mother slowly repeated to herself: “Ballerina,
ballerina, ballerina…”
Then it hit her. Ballerina sounded so similar to
the Hebrew words, “Ba’al rinah, ba’al rinah,
to be a master of one’s joy.” My mother took it

as a message to be upbeat, even during times
of challenge. To understand that while we
can’t change our life’s circumstances, we can
control our reactions to them. Think happy
and you will be happy.
But how does one think happy when there is
so much heaviness weighing on the heart?
There are so many “how to” books out there,
including guides to achieving happiness. The
secular world tells us that meditation leads to
calmness, serenity and pleasure. As Torah
Jews, we have known this all along. What
greater meditation is there than turning to
HaShem with tefillah?
Rav Nachman of Breslov taught that we
should reach out to HaShem like a child who
speaks to a father. To pick up our siddur and
concentrate on its words. To ask for whatever
we might need, for no request is too small or
too large. We can even wish for a miracle.
Davening isn’t only about our needs, but it is
also words of gratitude. As I say the morning
brachos each day, I realize how much I have to
be grateful for.
Pokeach ivrim, Who opens our eyes with
understanding to view the world around us.
Malbish arumim, Who provides us with
clothing.
Sheh’osoh li kol tzorchi, Who provides us
with all of our needs.
Hanosain layoef koach, Who gives us
renewed strength each and every day.
Each morning we wake up with the words
of Modeh Ani, I thank You HaShem for
giving me back my soul for another day.
The word modim has yet another
component. To acknowledge, to live a life
of gratitude.
Gratitude leads to happiness. When we
concentrate on the good that we do have,
when we want what we have instead of
wasting energy wishing for something
different, when we are somei-ach b’chelkoh,
satisfied with our lot, happiness enters the
picture.
Another way to attain happiness is through
the joy of giving. There is a beautiful story
told in the Talmud (Taanis 22a). Rav Beroka
was walking through the marketplace when
he came upon Eliyahu Hanavi. Rav Beroka
asked Eliyahu, “Is there anyone in this
marketplace who is destined for Olam
Habbah?” Eliyahu pointed out two men and
said “These two men are going straight to
Olam Habbah”.
Rav Beroka was surprised. They looked
like two ordinary men. He wanted to find
out what they did to deserve such an honor.
Rav Beroka approached them, and asked
“What do you do?” From their response we
learn yet another secret to happiness. They
said “We are comedians and whenever we

see people who are sad, we make them happy.”
Psychologists have a term, “Helpers high”,
another name for the uplifting, even euphoric
feeling that people experience after doing a
good deed or act of kindness. . One can
achieve a high, simcha, by giving to others.
We bring joy into their lives, and it comes
back our way.
There is so much happiness we can bring to
others, through simple acts of chesed, random
acts of kindness. Visiting a nursing home,
tutoring a child, volunteering in a soup
kitchen.
My mother would often say that our face is a
“reshus harabim, public property”, and with a
smile we can spread so much happiness. A
smile can warm another soul, it can give life to
another person. Notice how we tend to
gravitate towards smiley people, and when a
person walks around with a “farbissener
panim, a sour face” it puts a damper on all
those around. So smile, and the world will
smile with you.
Another teaching of Rav Nachman of Breslov
is how the power of music and song brings
happiness. The world of Jewish music has
grown by leaps and bounds. So many of our
tefillos have been put into song and music.
Sing along and be transformed by its power.
Sog is especially powerful on Shabbos. Just
think of how elevated and special our Shabbos
tables become when they are infused with
zemiros. We can connect to HaShem through
song, thereby injecting happiness into our
lives.
We see how vital the concept of happiness is
from the pasuk in Devarim which states that
the Jewish nation will be punished “Because
you did not serve HaShem amid gladness and
goodness of heart, when everything was
abundant.” HaShem has blessed us with so
much good. Let us reciprocate and serve
HaShem with an abundance of simcha and
gratitude.
While we may not be able to eliminate the
world’s pain and sorrow, we can choose to live
a life of simcha. Especially now, in the month
of Adar, let us bring cheerfulness and joy to
those around us, thereby bringing joy into our
own lives.