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Happiness on DemandOctober 2004From the Desk of Rabbi Cohon"V'samachta b'chagecha - The period of the Jewish festival of Sukkot - which concludes with the additional holiday of Simchat Torah - is a time when we are, literally, commanded to celebrate. As the kiddush for the festival tell us it is z'man simchateinu, the time of our rejoicing. But how can we be commanded to be happy? Happiness, we are taught in our society, is a kind of personal right, but we arrive at it by particularly mysterious means. According to the advertising industry that supports our entire economic system, happiness comes from purchasing a product -- especially an expensive, new one -- or from using the right combination of hair growth products, psychotropic medications, and directed stimulants. According to popular music, happiness comes primarily from rebelling against the system, or occasionally from ignoring reality, as in Bobby McFerrin's old song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy." According to the presidential candidates, happiness comes from voting for them -- and unhappiness from voting for the other guy. In view of this diversity of outlook it seems that happiness is an elusive target. So when we are commanded to be happy because it's a mitzvah, we have to wonder just what God was thinking about. "Be happy, darn it!" is not the sort of command we are used to receiving from a religion that focuses on ethical conduct. Certainly we expect admonitions from the Torah, but "Be good!" is more like it, or "Act morally", or "Don't choose evil." The notion that we are simply supposed to just "be happy" at a certain period of the year -- does that mean the rest of the year we are supposed to be unhappy? -- is powerfully strange. Perhaps the conundrum lies in our conception of happiness in American society. Here the usual pictures of a life of happiness are filled with material goals -- a great new house in the Foothills, a beautiful car, a fabulous vacation to Tahiti, a prestigious job -- when these goals rarely translate to real happiness. If these are the things that make us happy, well, of course the mitzvah or v'samachta b'chagecha makes no sense. You can't command someone to be richer, better looking, younger, or more successful. And so the notion of happiness-on-demand seems paradoxical, even ridiculous. But God has a rather different notion of what constitutes happiness for human beings. And the ways we are supposed to celebrate this festival are revealing of what Judaism thinks constitutes real happiness, during this time of year and always: taking time with family and friends to enjoy good meals; giving prayers of thanksgiving to God for what we have -- never mind what we lack; learning and teaching Torah in community; and helping those who are worse off than we are. These are lessons of like that are more powerful than Prozac, more enduring than Levitra, and more valuable than a Mercedes. At this time of year, especially, but in truth at all times of the year they are simple, central -- and they work. Spend meaningful, enjoyable, engaged time with family and friends. Enrich and enliven your mind through study. Do mitzvot that makes a difference. And, most important, be grateful for what you have. I have often heard the mitzvot compared to a form of behavioral psychology; if you do them, you will be good. What Sukkot and Simchat Torah teach is that if you regularly do Jewish acts like studying Torah, celebrating Shabbat and the festivals, giving Tzedakah, praying, and doing Social Action, you will, surprisingly enough, also be happy. And so, Chag Samei'ach - a holiday of joy! L'shalom v'rei'ut, in peace and friendship, Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon
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