Rabbi Akiva Chaim Homnick, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Chayei Olam in Beit Shemesh, shares his thoughts about how we can use Simcha to overcome life’s difficulties, and how this relates to Chinuch and to Shavuot.
My grandfather, Reb Ephraim Fischel Hammer of blessed memory, was a unique individual – a special combination of someone deeply rooted in Polish Chassidus and an ardent Zionist pioneer. His formative values were absorbed from his grandmother, Feiga, who was a great-granddaughter of the great Rebbe, Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, zt”l, a pivotal figure in shaping Polish Chassidut. Bubba Feiga shared many stories with young Fischel about her great-grandfather that remained with him throughout his life.
One memorable story tells how, when Rabbi Simcha Bunim was walking by the Vistula River, he suddenly saw a group of people standing, seemingly frozen at the water’s edge. They were all staring at a Jew struggling in the strong waves, his head intermittently submerging and resurfacing as he desperately tried to get out, clearly exhausting himself in the process. While everyone else just stood there, helpless and hesitant to jump into the rough water, Rabbi Simcha Bunim called out loudly: “Shick a grees tzim Livyusan!” – “Send my greetings to the Leviathan[1]!” The people around him immediately started laughing, but then, remarkably, a moment later the drowning man suddenly found renewed strength and pulled himself unaidedly from the river! Later, when questioned about his seemingly inappropriate humor, Reb Simcha Bunim explained insightfully that he saw how despair was taking hold of the man and sapping his strength. Therefore, he wanted to spark some joy in him, believing that this joy would give him the vital energy he needed to overcome the danger and get out of the river.
Simcha as a Tool
In the teachings of Chassidus, we find an illuminating idea that Simcha is a powerful tool for dealing with life’s difficulties. They even found a hint of this in the pasuk, “Ki B’Simcha Teitze’u” (For in joy you shall go forth), understanding it as a guarantee that joy can help a person get out of tough situations. However, this isn’t just a spiritual or mystical idea, but also a true psychological observation. We can explain this with a simple example: consider someone in a dark place who can’t find his way out, feeling hopeless because it seems like a dead end. Yet, even if a small light appears he see’s that there is a way, and he can start trying to find it. Similarly, sadness is comparable to being in darkness, where everything seems lost and without hope. But joy is like the light that shows the path, whether to escape the difficulty or to find the strength to handle it. Simcha isn’t just a passing feeling, it’s a driving force; a spiritual energy that helps us keep going even when things are hard. It’s what lets us see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“Shalom Aleichem”
Years ago, I had the special privilege of composing a melody for “Shalom Aleichem,” which became pretty well-known because of Reb Mendel Werdyger’s moving rendition. Undoubtedly, another major factor in its popularity was the fact that Reb Moshe Mona Rosenblum (who also did the wonderful arrangements) played it so often. For the past thirty years, this melody has become an integral part of the Erev Shabbos atmosphere for many people, with R’ Rosenblum opening his weekly radio show with it – first on Arutz 7 and later on Radio Kol Chai. But the song’s impact transcended mere popularity.
My parents, z”l, were humble people but very proud of their children’s achievements. A few years ago, they were staying at a hotel for Shabbat. On Friday night, as they were sitting in the dining room, they saw a large family group gathered around some tables, who started singing “Shalom Aleichem” to my tune! My parents, immediately approached the head of the family and proudly shared with him that they were the parents of the composer. His deeply touched response was immediate – he invited them to an Oneg Shabbat gathering later in the evening, saying he had something important to tell them. When my parents arrived at the Oneg Shabbat, the head of the family sat them down next to him and shared the following: “This Shabbat is a special family Shabbaton to thank Hashem for my recovery from a serious illness.” He then told them his very moving story. Several years before, he had become seriously ill and had to go through difficult and exhausting treatments. His condition kept getting worse until he gave up hope, feeling he couldn’t fight anymore. One Friday afternoon, as he lay weak and helpless in the hospital, he turned on the radio, and Reb Mona Rosenblum’s voice came on, singing along with the “Shalom Aleichem” melody that was playing, with his usual passion. At that exact moment, he said, he felt an unexplainable surge of joy, like a new energy flowing through him. Hope returned, giving him the will to keep fighting, and thank G-d, he made a full recovery. Since then, that melody has been a regular part of their Friday night meals, and on this particular Shabbat, the whole family had gathered to thank G-d for the great miracle.
Inspiring Generation Z
This leads us to an educational angle that is crucial for our times, one that directly relates to the younger generation today – the “instant” generation, or if you will – Generation Z. In a time when everything is available with a click, we face a significant problem: it’s increasingly difficult for young men and women to effectively deal with challenging situations, to experience discomfort, and even to handle minor frustrations. At times it might seem that they view their goals as something they automatically deserve achieving, rather than something that requires effort and patience. In this complex reality, the responsibility we have as educators, as parents, and as important adults in their lives is significant. We need to create a positive emotional environment around them, a space of happiness and optimism, which will serve as a constant source of strength during difficult times. We must teach them to believe in their ability to grow through hardship, to understand that failure isn’t the end, but often a necessary turning point for growth.
The story you just read beautifully demonstrates how an unexpected moment of joy can spark hope and give new strength. We should try to create similar experiences for the younger generation, moments of light and joy that will help them stay on their path in life even when it seems dark and hopeless. We must teach them that joy isn’t about avoiding difficulty, but a powerful way to deal with it.
Shavuot & the Joy of Torah
As we are approaching the festival of Shavuot, I can already hear the sounds of the familiar melody (the exact origin of which is a bit unclear): “Kad Yatvun Yisrael V’askin B’simchat HaTorah, Kudsha Brich Hu Omer L’famalya Di’leh, Chazu Banai Chavivai D’mishtakchin B’tzara Di’lhon V’askin B’chadvata Di’li“ – When Am Yisrael sits and engages in the joy of Torah, the Holy One, Blessed be He, says to His entourage, “Look at My beloved children who are in their distress and nevertheless engage in My joy.” It seems we don’t always pay enough attention to the subtle but important emphasis in the words of this holy niggun. It’s not just about studying Torah; the key is experiencing the joy of Torah. Understanding this makes the fundamental importance of joy, as a basic part of both learning and living Torah, very clear. When Am Yisrael are feeling sorrow, it is specifically learning Torah with Simcha that offers comfort and a way to overcome the difficulty. However, not only during hard times, but at all times, the joy of Torah is an essential part of learning. Without this vital element, the student facing intellectual or emotional challenges might easily give up when he faces adversity.
Therefore, as we approach the festival celebrating the Giving of the Torah, let us embrace its teachings with a genuine and pure sense of joy. May we be fortunate and wise enough to pass on this bright flame of joy, as a cherished tradition, to our descendants and our students. For it is only through true simcha that the love of Torah will grow and take root in the hearts of future generations.
[1] The Leviathan mentioned here is a great sea creature about whom it is written, “This Leviathan You formed to sport with”. According to rabbinic tradition, Hashem will in the future prepare a grand banquet from its meat for the righteous to enjoy.