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    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.