72 JUDAISM
TO ADVERTISE CALL 020 3906 8488
ASK THE RABBI
15 SEPTEMBER 2021
Looking for answers? Send your question to Rabbi@RabbiSchochet.com DON’T WORRY – BE HAPPY Dear Rabbi I know that happiness is an important principle in Judaism especially during the festivals. My question is simply how important is it really, especially when I’m not feeling it? Lior Dear Lior There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head. She got excited and declared: “I think I’ll braid my hair today.” So she did and she had a wonderful day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. She got excited and she said, “I think I’ll part my hair down the middle today.” So she did and she had a grand day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head. She got excited and she said, “Today I’m going to wear my hair in a ponytail.” So she did and she had a fun day. The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn’t a single hair on her head. “Yes!” she exclaimed excitedly, “I don’t have to fix my hair today!” Attitude is everything! You could see the challenges of life as an obstacle or an opportunity. Similarly, there are two ways to see yourself – as either a victim of your circumstances, surrounds or upbringing – which in turn will make you sad; or as someone determined to recreate themselves and that sense of empowerment will make you
happy. Everyone has one of two stories: The good news is you get to be the author – you choose which one to write. Happiness and joy are not just conditions of the mind and heart. They have direct bearing on your overall disposition and the way you function in life. There are those who wake up, open their eyes and say, “Good morning, G-d!” And there are others who wake up, open their eyes and say, “Good G-d… morning!” The difference is one where you either despondently see every rosebush has thorns or joyously perceive how even thorn-bushes have roses. Maimonides stipulates that “one who in his insolence restrains himself from functioning in a joyous manner is a sinner and fool.” Why a sinner? Because a lot of things are inherent in life: aging, illness, death and losses of all kinds - but these events don’t have to be the cause of ongoing sadness. Yes, these events cause grief and sadness, but grief and sadness pass, like everything else, and are replaced with other experiences. The ego, however, clings to negative thoughts and feelings and, as a result, magnifies, intensifies, and sustains those emotions denying one the ability to rehabilitate. You then only compound the negative. The early nineteenth century scholar, Rabbi Aaron of Karlin once said: “Sadness itself is not a sin but what it can lead to, can be worse than any sin.” The point is that the disgruntlement and frustration that you feel in life, allow for discontentedness to block the arteries leading toward a happy heart. If you
are unhappy then you’re never going to see the bigger picture in life – you’ll ignore the inherent blessings and everything will essentially be seen and experienced in a negative context. So as a New Year resolution, strive to be happier; dig deep and see the blessings all around you.
AGE OF THE UNIVERSE Dear Rabbi What year was it that we started to count Jewish years and why? Claire Dear Claire We started to count when the world was created – precisely 5782 years ago. Why? Because that’s when the world was created. You might be asking the question on the basis of assuming the world to be much older (I know a number of apologetic rabbis who maintain the same) but that’s the way we believe it – always did, always will. Here’s to a great 5782 filled with an abundance of blessings, joy, good health and much success for all Jews throughout the world and indeed the entire universe!
BREAK A GLASS – NOT A HEART! Dear Rabbi At every Chupah I attend I hear a different Rabbi offer a different explanation for the breaking of a glass under the Chupah (not to mention some bad jokes). Can you shed light on the real reason please? Jason
Dear Jason A Jewish wedding ends with the breaking of a glass cup, after which everyone shouts “Mazal Tov.” This tradition reminds us that even at the peak of our joy, we remember all of the broken hearts that still exist in the world. We remember Jerusalem and our holy land that still needs redemption. And we pray for the restoration of all that has been shattered. But why do we shout Mazal Tov? What is it about breaking a glass that prompts an
outcry of good luck? We’re telling bride and groom that at times in life things may get broken. And when they do you have a choice to make. Either get bogged down in the negative, or - shout Mazal Tov! Maybe we’re momentarily off kilter but if you can laugh and rejoice together through the breakage of the little things thus making sure that they don’t lead to the breaking of the bigger things - then your lives will be filled with real Mazal and Nachas - enduring happiness and joy.
Follow Rabbi Schochet at: RabbiSchochet.com Twitter: @RabbiYYS Facebook: facebook.com/Rabbiyys.
THE PERFECT GIFTS FOR
ANY TIME & ANYONE 20% OFF
REG. PRICE £8.99
ONLY
£7.19 EACH +P&P Quote JW34 at checkout to claim your 20% discount.
BUY NOW from
www.hermieshop.co.uk THEJEWISHWEEKLY.COM
OVER 70 DESIGNS TO CHOOSE FROM!
Quote JW34 at checkout to claim your 20% discount. 20% discount applies to mugs only. Offer ends at 11.59pm on 30th November 2021.
