You ask, “How can I be happy if I am not?”
True, you can’t control the way you feel, but you do have control over your conscious thought, speech and actions.
Do something simple: Think good thoughts, speak good things, behave the way a joyful person behaves—even if you don’t fully feel it inside. Eventually, the inner joy of the soul will break through. ~ R’ Tzvi Freeman
“Not taking for granted all the good we have is the key to happiness. For if we don’t appreciate what we have, we will never appreciate what we are going to get as we will get used to it as well.” ~ R’ Moshe Meir Weiss
I heard this last year from R’ Shalom Axelrod. Hopefully, I will do it justice.
There are two times in the Torah that Parshas Zachor, the story of Amalek, is discussed at length. However, they are each preceded by two distinct parshas.
In Parshas Beshalach (which we read this morning), Parshas Zachor comes right after the Jews complained about the lack of water. They questioned where Hashem was. Immediately after this, Amalek attacks.
In Parshas Ki Seitzei (which we read yesterday), Parshas Zachor comes right after the laws of being honest in business (the Torah teaches us not to have two different sized weights so we don’t come to cheat anyone).
The Kli Yakar explains that these are precisely the two times that Amalek comes to destroy us; when we have a lack of emuna (as the Jews did when they complained about the lack of water) and when we are not honest and united with our fellow Jews.
In the Megilla, it is stated that Haman approaches Achashveirosh and explains why they should take this opportunity to annihilate the Jews once and for all. One of the reasons he gives Achashveirosh is that the Jews are “Miphurod bein haamim” which means dispersed or “divided among the people.” As a descendant of Amalek, Haman knew that this was an opportune time to strike the Jews since they were divided, and when the Jews are divided, that is a time that Amalek can destroy them.
Interestingly, if you look at the pasuk right before the parsha of Amalek in Beshalach, it tells us that this all took place in Rephidim. Rephidim has the same root as “miphurod”, the word Haman used in the Megilla to describe the Jews as “divided.” Therefore, what was Esther’s solution to Haman’s evil decree to destroy the Jews? She said to gather the Jews together, fast together and daven to Hashem. That is because when we have Emuna and our Bein Adam Lechaveiro (matters between each other) is where it should be, Amalek cannot harm us.
Happy Purim!
“Rational reasoning is used year-round as a means to emunah – belief in Hashem. Once a year, however, on Yom Tov of Purim, we must strip away all traces of reasoning – Ahd DiLo Yadah – and serve Hashem on pure faith alone.” ~ R’ Chaim Shmulevitz zt”l (Torah Tavlin)
“A poor person generally does not die from starvation. He dies from honor-seeking and arrogance!” ~ R’ Yisrael Salanter zt”l (Torah Tavlin)
“One who trusts in G-d will obtain the advantage of money, namely, a livelihood, but will be spared the mental distraction of one who has money and constantly worries about it. As the Wise Man said, ‘sweet is the sleep of the laborer, whether he eats little or much; but the prosperity of the rich man does not let him sleep.’ (Koheles 5:11).” ~ Chavos Halevovos
I heard from Dr. David Pelcovitz a quote from the Kotzker Rebbe regarding some tough questions of why tragedies occur. He states “I can never believe in a god that I understand.”
“Always be joyful and serve G-d with joy. Even if at times you fall, you can strengthen yourself with the radiance of the light which shone upon you at some previous time. The new courage which the memory gives you can help you in your present condition. ~ R’ Nachman of Breslev
“Sometimes you see that things have been taken out of your hands and are following a supernatural order. At this point, just do your best at what you have to do —and stay out of G‑d’s way. ~ R’ Tzvi Freeman
Emuna Daily 