2 minute read
Something to Laugh About by Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., CLC, SDS
Life C ach Something to Laugh About
By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS
Iwant to make you laugh.
But it’s not a funny time.
Yet, the Sages do say, “When the month of Av comes in, joy decreases” (Talmud Taanit 29a). Notice they don’t say joy is gone altogether! It’s just reduced somewhat.
There is always something to be happy about.
Not only that, but the saying is about the energy in the air. That doesn’t mean we can’t rev it up from our own resources.
The Batei Mikdash were destroyed. And other tragedies happened during this time. We can’t forget that; these edifices are gone. Yet, there is a promise a third Beis Hamikdash is on the way.
We can be optimistic about that. In fact, we can help to bring that time closer.
Even with the shortages, delays, hold-ups at the ports, and increased prices of materials, these days, I think we can rest assured G-d has connections in high places and can get it done.
And we can be influential in bringing it in sooner.
How we behave has an impact!
If we are good to each other, patient, kind, tolerant, and understanding – even when we don’t understand – we can usher it in.
So, we’ve got some pull here. That could be a small reason to smile.
But is this a time for laughter?
Perhaps we can make it so.
We can chortle at adversity.
Chuckle at challenges.
And laugh at limitations! We are unlimited in our ability to embrace change.
We can do it differently. We can look at the past and learn from it going forward.
The fast of Tisha B’Av is a time to take notice. Not to suffer and move on. But rather, reverse what brought us down.
With the first Bais HaMikdash, we were weak in our realization that we should trust the guidebook and follow it. So, we got lost. And it was destroyed. With the second Bais HaMikdash, we were weak in our realization that everyone has a piece of G-dliness. So, we just didn’t like them. They weren’t our thing. And that was destroyed.
So, what can we do to change it all? We need to work on what we fell short on years ago. We need to embrace the original and best how-to Guidebook ever written. And we need to love our fellow man. No special reason – just because. (And secretly, like I said, because he has a little piece of G-dliness in him!)
And if that simple formula isn’t something to laugh about, I don’t know what is!
Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and individuals and is a certified relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917-705-2004 or at rivkirosenwald@gmail.com.
