True Joy

A teaching from Rabbi Shalom Brodt of Yeshivat Simchat Shlomo


There is a great distinction between real joy – simcha, and

'having a good time'. Reb Shlomo says that to have a good time, all you need

to do is buy a ticket to a good show, for example. The 'world' tells us that

we can only be happy by acquiring worldly possessions. This is basically a

lie – this is the underlying lie of consumerism. The reason that this is not

'real joy' is that it does not have any lasting quality, nor will everyone

have an equally good time at the same show, for example. That which is real

has a lasting and even infinite quality, and is true for all people. As

children we were equally happy playing games with pebbles as we were playing

with electronic toys. The 'world' says that that is only because children

are childish and lack sophistication. But that is only partially true.

Children are very much connected with Hashem and that is why children have

an easier time at being joyous. But as we grow older we swallow the lies of

the 'world' and we accept that joy depends on possessions. At the same time

we adopt the worldly concepts of who we are. Rather than seeing and defining

ourselves and one another as Divine souls, as complimentary parts of the

One, we short-change our 'selves' and one another by defining ourselves as

consumers and competitors. Consequently it is just about impossible to

fulfill the mitzvah of "Love your fellow as you love yourself." [See Tanya

Chapter 32.]

So what are we 'grown-ups' to do,

can we re-learn how to be joyous? Yes, we can! Hashem has even provided us

with the tools to do so – but ... we have to first of all want to! Sadly,

many of us have become so familiar with our sadness, we are even afraid to

know ourselves in prolonged states of joy. Some of may even feel

uncomfortable being around people who are uninhibitedly very joyous. A

friend of mine was dancing joyously during the Kabbalat Shabbat service, and

one of the Rabbis asked him to stop because it was making others feel

uncomfortable! Oy vey!

Reb Shlomo reveals an awesome secret shortcut to joy. But because it is so

close to Shabbos … [don't worry I'm not keeping it secret until next week]

we'll learn in greater depth G-d willing next week. What is the secret?

BLESSINGS – GIVE BLESSINGS TO YOUR FAMILY, YOUR CHILDREN, YOUR FRIENDS –

LEARN TO GIVE BLESSINGS – SPEND TIME GIVING BLESSINGS – GO INTO YOUR DEEPEST

PLACE INSIDE YOURSELF AND FROM THERE GIVE BLESSINGS – GIVE HEARTFELT GREAT

BLESSINGS AND DON'T BE STINGY – DO THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN AND VERY SOON YOU

WILL FIND YOURSELF IN A PLACE OT TRUE JOY!

GOOD SHABBOS!