SPONSORED BY SHARONA, JOSH, DOV, MOSHE AND YEHUDA HALICKMAN IN HONOR OF THE BIRTH OF THE HALICKMAN TWINS BORN TO AMY AND ISAAC HALICKMAN

In Parshat Ki Tavo, Devarim 26:11 we are commanded “And you shall rejoice with all of the good that God has given you…”

How can there be a mitzvah to be happy? Shouldn’t we just naturally feel happy when something good happens?

Rabbi Zelig Pliskin points out that even when we should be happy many times we are thinking about what we still lack.

It says in Kohelet Raba 1:34 “He who has one hundred wants two hundred”.

This reminds me of most children’s toys that are on the market today. At first the child is excited to open their new toy and can’t wait to play with it. However, along with the toy is a brochure with pictures of many other toys under the heading “Collect them all!” Instead of enjoying their new toy, the child is already thinking about which toys he doesn’t (yet) have. On the other hand, there are children who have never even seen a new toy in its original package. When given a “previously owned” toy they are so happy to have something different to play with that they are fully content and extremely appreciative.

It says in Pirkei Avot 4:1 “Ben Zoma said…Who is rich? He who is happy with his lot”.

The pasuk (Devarim 26:11) ends with the words “And you shall rejoice with all of the good that God has given you, you and your house, you and the Levi and the stranger that is among you”.

Sometimes when a person becomes very wealthy, their newfound wealth can take a negative toll on them. However, when they know that their wealth is a gift from God and they use their money for Tzedakah and good deeds (helping the Levi and the stranger etc), then they truly have something to be happy about!

So don’t worry, be happy--- after all it is a mitzvah!