Tidbits of Torah

Happiness Is…

Shabbat Parashat Ki Tavo

September 24, 2016 – 21 Elul 5776

Dear Friends,

This is a good time of year to contemplate. I invite us to contemplate the following:

“Happiness is…. ” Fill in the blank and send me your thoughts. Yes, I’d be interested to hear from you.

And while we are thinking about that…Our Torah portion begins with the Hebrew words: V’haya Ki Tavo el Ha’Aretz [And it shall come to pass, at some time in the future, when you will arrive in the Land]. Our Sages noted that in the Bible, the word V’haya, signifies simcha [joy, or happiness].

Does this mean that happiness is always somehow associated with something that is beyond our current reach?

More food for thought related to happiness:

Some say that our state of mind is most often focused on our schedule – on what comes next in our lives. Often we are rushing to “accomplish” or to “get things done.” The only day we are happy with where we are, rather than rushing to get somewhere else, or to do something on our perpetual “to do” list, is… Shabbat!

And now, back to the beginning: “Happiness is…..”

May we enjoy this Shabbat, and many more, with happiness at simply being where we are!!!

Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Gilah Dror