When you think about happiness, what are some words that come to mind?
Look at the words in the list we created. Can we categorize each one as either "temporary" or "long-term?"
Judaism has a lot to say about both long-term and temporary happiness. Let's begin by exploring the ways that Judaism envisions happiness as a consistent experience.
How does Psalm 1 portray happiness? What does it take to sustain this happiness?
or taken the path of sinners,
or joined the company of the insolent; (2) rather, the teaching of the LORD is his delight,
and he studies that teaching day and night. (3) He is like a tree planted beside streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season,
whose foliage never fades,
and whatever it produces thrives.-b (4) Not so the wicked;
rather, they are like chaff that wind blows away. (5) Therefore the wicked will not survive judgment,
nor will sinners, in the assembly of the righteous. (6) For the LORD cherishes the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked is doomed.
Compare the kind of happiness portrayed in Psalm 1 with Psalm 128 below.
Happy are all who fear the LORD,
who follow His ways. (2) You shall enjoy the fruit of your labors;
you shall be happy and you shall prosper. (3) Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house;
your sons, like olive saplings around your table. (4) So shall the man who fears the LORD be blessed.
(5) May the LORD bless you from Zion;
may you share the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life, (6) and live to see your children’s children.
May all be well with Israel!
How do the Biblical texts below add to, deepen or contradict the ideas about happiness we saw above?
in bad times may the LORD keep him from harm.
the man You instruct in Your teaching, (13) to give him tranquillity in times of misfortune,
until a pit be dug for the wicked.
Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered over.
He who confesses and gives them up will find mercy. (14) Happy is the man who is anxious always,
But he who hardens his heart falls into misfortune.
Having looked at several Biblical texts, that explore the idea of happiness, let's discuss
- How much of our happiness depends on us?
- What do our material circumstances have to do with being happy?
- Which, if any of the ideas of happiness above comes closest to your own idea?
How does Ben Zoma's idea of happiness differ from the views in the psalms above?
(א) בֶּן זוֹמָא אוֹמֵר, אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם, הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים קיט) מִכָּל מְלַמְּדַי הִשְׂכַּלְתִּי כִּי עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ שִׂיחָה לִּי. אֵיזֶהוּ גִבּוֹר, הַכּוֹבֵשׁ אֶת יִצְרוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי טז) טוֹב אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם מִגִּבּוֹר וּמשֵׁל בְּרוּחוֹ מִלֹּכֵד עִיר. אֵיזֶהוּ עָשִׁיר, הַשָּׂמֵחַ בְּחֶלְקוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים קכח) יְגִיעַ כַּפֶּיךָ כִּי תֹאכֵל אַשְׁרֶיךָ וְטוֹב לָךְ. אַשְׁרֶיךָ, בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה. וְטוֹב לָךְ, לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אֵיזֶהוּ מְכֻבָּד, הַמְכַבֵּד אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל א ב) כִּי מְכַבְּדַי אֲכַבֵּד וּבֹזַי יֵקָלּוּ:
(1) Ben Zoma said:Who is wise? He who learns from every man, as it is said: “From all who taught me have I gained understanding” (Psalms 119:99). Who is mighty? He who subdues his [evil] inclination, as it is said: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city” (Proverbs 16:32). Who is rich? He who rejoices in his lot, as it is said: “You shall enjoy the fruit of your labors, you shall be happy and you shall prosper” (Psalms 128:2) “You shall be happy” in this world, “and you shall prosper” in the world to come. Who is he that is honored? He who honors his fellow human beings as it is said: “For I honor those that honor Me, but those who spurn Me shall be dishonored” (I Samuel 2:30).
What would it take for each of us to have the kind of deep and abiding happiness we read about above?