So it's the beginning of 6 intense weeks of teshuva (returning to our true selves), tears, tefila (praying), learning Torah and fixing midot (character traits)… and we might easily forget a necessary ingredient: simcha, happiness. Rav Nachman says that 23 of 24 hours should be devoted to simcha, and one to hitbodedut (soul searching) and teshuva. What follows are just a couple of stories and teachings about simcha that have brought inspiration into my life and I wanted to share with you. Do with them as you like.
Once, the first Rebbe from Slonim was not able to feel simcha, so first he searched all his earthly worries and nullified himself totally to them all; he had no care in this world. But what about the world to come? He realized he was being troubled by spiritual issues so he decided to disown his portion in the world to come, and he firmly decided upon this, and then he reached simcha. He reasoned: what do I care about so many holy matters, if they lead me away from the will of Hashem, which is to serve Him in happiness.
Ideally, the Slonimer Rebbe teaches, our happiness should come from a deep trust that all that Hashem does for us is for the best and that Hashem loves us no matter what we do or how low we go. The author of the Bat Ayin (a chasidic text) teaches that anyone who thinks that Hashem is not with them even in the lowest depths is an apikorus (heretic). This knowledge that where we are is also a place to connect to Him from, and that it's right where we're supposed to be, brings us simcha. However, Rav Nachman says that sometimes it doesn't matter why you're happy; if you have to, do flips, jumps, dance, just be happy.
One Rosh Hashana, the Baal Shem Tov was unable to blow the shofar because of all the accusations being made against the Jewish people. His holy talmidim (students) felt this darkness and all of them began to turn white and shake. There was one man there who didn't have a clue. When he saw the terror on thier faces, he panicked: "Where is it?!? What?!? Where?!? A lion?!? A bear?!?" The talmidim coudln't help it; they started laughing, and so did the Baal Shem. Immediately, the accusations were silenced and he blew the shofar. On this, the Baal Shem Tov teaches that the verse in Kohelet, "Simcha mazu osah (Joy, what does this do?)?" means that simcha, even in the category of mazu (what's this?) - like we think it's silly, or crazy, or has no purpose - osah (it does!). It does a lot in the heavenly worlds (b.t.w, did you know there used to be a special tent outside Jerusalem for anyone with issues to think about which might make them sad to go there until they were done? It was forbidden to be sad in Yerushalayim!)!
Lastly, lest we think simcha is a side issue amongst all our other teshuva, the first Slonimer Rebbe says that the trait of being happy with one's lot, physical or spiritual, is one that includes all other midot: he goes on to count numerous levels achieved by this person until he teaches, as Rav Nachman does, that being b'simcha tamid (always joyous) brings one to teshuva from love, which is the highest kind of return.
I'm not exactly sure at all what they mean, but I give us all a bracha that we should all merit true simcha and teshuva and Shabbas and Moschiach, soon, speedily in our days. Good Shabbas, Good Yontiff - Yossi. P.S. If anyone does understand how serving Hashem with simcha leads ultimately to teshuva from ahava, please, please let me know at yosefsimcha@pocketmail.com. L'hitraot!