Page 24 - HaMizrachi # 23 Sukkot Simchat Torah 2020 USA

GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS

Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski

Why Kohelet on Sukkot?

s a psychiatrist, I was once admirable desires but they do not pro- own skin, when you do chesed, when
asked to explain why we read duce happiness. The Talmud says, “No you have a goal in life of serving G-d
AKohelet on Sukkot, the season one leaves this world having achieved instead of expecting that G-d should
of joy. After all, Kohelet is so terribly even half of his desires.” fulfill all of your desires.
depressing, negating everything as
futile and worthless. In Kohelet, Shlomo states this clearly. Shlomo ends Kohelet by saying, “In
“As a king, I was the richest of all. I
Sukkot is indeed the season of simcha. did not deny myself any human plea- summary, fear G-d and do His mitzvot,
However, our concept of simcha is sure. But I found that this too was a because then you will be a mentsch.”
flawed. vexation.” Only when one is a mentsch can one
be happy. So, reading Kohelet on
I have heard people say, “If only I could It is wonderful to enjoy good things,
get out of debt, I would be happy,” or but don’t deceive yourself that these Sukkot is most important. We live in a
“If only I had a better job, I’d be happy,” enjoyments will bring you happiness. culture that places self-gratification as
or “If only I could get relief from my Happiness is achieved when you work a goal in life. Kohelet tells us this can
arthritis, I’d be happy,” or “If only my toward becoming what G-d wants you never result in simcha.
daughter would do a shidduch, I’d to be, a mentsch!
be happy.” The “If onlys” are count-
less. I’ve been around long enough What separates a mentsch from ani-
to see people get what they thought mals is not his greater intellect. Ani-
would make them happy, but remain mals are totally self-absorbed, seeking
unhappy. their physical pleasures. One cannot
be happy if one lives a life of self-ab- Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski is a psychia-
Happiness does not depend on com- sorption, seeking pleasure. You are trist and rabbi, and founder of the Gateway
fort or pleasure. They are indeed a mentsch when you get out of your Rehabilitation Center in Pennsylvania.

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