25 Jun SHELACH: JOY – UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES

The Chazon Ish zt’l
said, “It is impossible
to pass through this
world without
troubles. The
difference between
people is how they
accept them. Some
people pass through
the world laughing,
and some pass through
the world crying. It is
better to pass through
the world with
laughter.”

In other words, to focus on the “half-cup
that is full.” Of course, there is always
something lacking, something to mope
about. But you can focus on the good; if
you do that, you will live a happy life.
A chasan breaks an empty glass at his
chuppah. This reminds him that from now
on, he shouldn’t think about what is empty
and lacking. He should only focus on what
is full. This is good advice for Shalom
bayis, as well as for all matters of life.
Focus on the good in your life; you will be
happy, and everything will become good.
It is also possible to be happy for no

reason at all. One can put all his worries
aside and be happy.
When the Yidden heard the Meraglim’s
report about the strength of the nations
living in Eretz Canaan, it states (14:1) The
“The entire community raised their voices
and shouted, and the people wept on that
night.”
Chazal (Taanis 29) says, “That night was
Tisha b’Av. Hakadosh Baruch Hu told
them, ‘You cried for no reason, I will
establish this day for crying for generations.
“’
The Imrei Emes zt’l noted that if crying
for no reason resulted in crying for
generations, when one is happy for no
reason, that will result in joy for salvation.
Laugh and be happy, even if you think you
have no reason to be happy. This will result
in many reasons to be happy.
The Holy Rizhiner zt’l told the following
story:
A wealthy person was going through hard
times, and he moaned and krechtzed about
his tzaros. Heaven said, “You think your
portion is bad? We will show you what is
bad.” He lost all of his money. Now, he had
to collect food door-to-door. He moaned

about his bitter portion. Heaven said, “Do
you think this is bad? We will show you
what is bad,” and he came down with
tzaraas. Due to the tzaraas, people didn’t
want to see him at their doorstop, afraid
they might catch his disease. So he couldn’t
collect money anymore. He continued to
moan and complain about his misfortune.
Who can blame him? He was falling lower
and lower. But Heaven wasn’t happy with
his sadness. Heaven said, “You think your
situation is bad? We will show you what is
bad,” and he became a hunchback, and he
couldn’t eat. At that point, he said, “Well,
at least I’m alive. Baruch Hashem, I’m
alive! Many people in my situation aren’t
alive anymore. Baruch Hashem, I am
alive.” He changed his tune. Now, instead
of complaining, he was praising Hashem.
Heaven said, “You think that your life
situation is good. We will show you what
is good,” and his hunchback was healed,
and he was able to eat regularly again.
With much joy, he thanked Hashem for
this salvation. Heaven said, “Do you think
this is good? We will show you what is
good!” and his tzaraas was healed. Now he
could collect door-to-door again. He was
delighted with his good fortune and praised
Hashem with all his heart and soul. Heaven

said, “Do you think this is good? We will
show you what is good.” A wealthy person
lent him a large sum of money, which he
invested, and he became rich again.
The Rizhiner told this story to his
daughter when he heard his daughter
krechtz. He told her, “Don’t moan because
one krechtz brings on the next one, and
one joy and praise to Hashem brings more
happiness and goodness.”
This was the error of the Jewish nation
when they moaned and cried when they
heard the meraglim’s report. Crying and
moaning bring on more sorrow, while joy
results in Hashem’s salvation.
And there is always a reason to be happy.
There is always the half-cup that is full,
which we should focus on.