That's What Happiness/Holiness Is

 


Dear Friends,

I gave a presentation recently where I talked about an old commercial for a cigarette company that was based upon a tune "that's what happiness is."  
1965 Ray Conniff Singers - Happiness Is (mono 45)
YouTube The45Prof
2 minutes, 15 seconds
Dec 17, 2021

As we read from  the Holiness Code this Shabbat, I asked the group a question about what holiness is?

We are taught that G-d told us we would become a holy people.  As I reflect on this, I do wonder what holiness means and whether holiness and happiness are tied together.

When I applied to rabbinical school, I wrote that I believed that a rabbinical career was avodat kodesh, a holy task.  As I approach the 42nd anniversary of my ordination, I do believe that rabbinic work is sacred.  

However, as I think about whether it made me happy, I have to pause.  Sometimes holy activity is so intense that it drains a certain amount of happiness from the one who is doing the work and one's loved ones who interact with them..  However, that certainly doesn't lessen the significance of what a difference holy activity can make.  At this stage of my life, I realize that the rabbinate did bring me happiness and fulfillment and that there were sacrifices made along the way in order to pursue holy work.

I encourage all of us to think about how our lives have changed since Covid.  We read the double portion this week "Acharei Mot, Kedoshim" which is after the death of Aaron's sons and as I mentioned earlier, the holiness code which is best known for the line "Love your neighbor as yourself."  We all were and are touched by covid including having to face the death of loved ones and friends and the things we didn't get to do, ranging from proms to attending funerals, to visiting loved ones, to visiting those who were sick, to retirement parties, and the list goes on.  

So, what does holiness mean to us now at this stage which we might call, "acharei covid?" Are we able to fulfill all the promises we made to keep in touch with those we love and are we seeking to accomplish things NOW  since we don't know what the future will bring?

I hope that as we wrestle with what helps us feel good about ourselves, our personal relationships with our neighbors, and how to  emerge from the pandemic, that we will choose our own avodat kodesh, doing something that is holy to us. 

Hopefully, when we do our holy work, (whatever it means to us) we will find happiness and fulfillment.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Bruce Aft

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Listening and Love

 Dear Friends,  This past week was a Jewish Holiday called Tu B'Av  Please check out the following link from My Jewish Learning. Tu B'Av, the Jewish Day of Love As I think about the meaning of love, I think about the Shema which reminds us to "LIsten Israel, the Lord our G-d, the Lord Alone."  We are then asked to love G-d with all our heart, all our soul, and all our might."  (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). One of the ways in which I look at love is described in the prayer "Listen" which is found below which I initially read in the prayerbook, "LIkrat Shabbat" I believe that among the most important aspects of love is the ability to listen.  At one of our children's weddings I read the following lyrics from the song, "I Talk to the Trees." from the broadway musical, "Paint Your Wagon." (please search for this and watch Clint Eastwood sing it:-)) I talk to the trees But they don't listen to me I talk to the stars But they neve
Read more

Prayers for Peace in Israel

 Dear Friends, In the midst of the tragic events  in Israel I wanted to send you something  which Elad, our tour guide  while we will be in Israel sent me. As one who remembers  so many of the conflicts in Israel, the loss of life and the trauma is staggering. May the memories of those who have died not be in vain,may  those who have been kidnapped and are being held hostage be  returned safely, and may Israel know peace  in the days ahead. B'shalom, in peace, Bruce My dear friends, You probably heard the bad news about the war that started today between Gaza and  between Israel. We are in a new situation that last time we experienced was exactly 50 years and one days ago on October 6th 1973 when the Yom Kippur war started, today it's Yom kippur war #2.   My family seems to be safe though my 96 years old grandmother who lives in Ofakim, my home town near the border with Gaza. among other villages and towns it is under attack and hostages are taken. My grandmother Sol has been l
Read more

Tragedies of War

 Dear Friends, As we all struggle with the tragic events in the Middle East, the brutal acts of Hamas including the taking of hostages, and all the subsequent loss of life, I, like all of us, am struggling to find the right words. I taught about the weekly Torah portion this past Shabbat (Sabbath) and we talked about the text that says that Noah was righteous in his generation.  Noah is not viewed as righteous for all time as is Abraham.  Noah is criticized for not arguing with G-d about the destruction of humanity and for not telling people why he was building the ark. This led to a discussion about whether we have ever done enough to claim to be righteous.  One participant in the discussion said he would be happy to list "saving humanity" on his resume whether he was considered righteous for all time or not. I gave the example of our Passover song, "Dayenu" which means "enough."  We say  that G-d does a variety of things for us and if G-d had only done a
Read more