Confidence, Joy and Positive Action

Shabbat Succot

Throughout this High Holy Day period my message to you has been one of confidence, happiness and positive action.

I have emphasised that through our confidence in G-d's love of us, we draw down that love and cause good things to happen.That when we are happy we infect others around us with happiness. That when we and those around us are happy we are far more likely to make a positive impact on the world through acts of goodness and kindness. And of course, the better and kinder the world around us is, the easier it is for us to be happy and confident.

Thank G-d, I have already seen in measurable terms some of the goodness and kindness that has resulted from the positive energy of Yom Tov. The challenge for both me and you, is to ensure that this energy is maintained in our lives throughout the year. To do so, we must take responsibility and build happiness from the inside out, we must be proactive rather than reactive, we must realize that we alone are the masters of our happiness. It is not for us to expect the "outside" to make us happy "inside". Indeed it is far more likely to do so if we radiate happiness to begin with.

We are now approaching the happiest time of the year - the period defined by our Holy Torah as Zman Simchasteinu - the Festival of our Joys. It is said that through rejoicing and being happy during Succot, Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, we draw happiness upon ourselves for the entire year. It is also said that the reason that the plural - Festival of our Joys, rather than Festival of our Joy - is used because it is a time when we rejoice with G-d and G-d rejoices with us.

May G-d bless each of you with true happiness and joy, confidence in G-d's love of you, and a year of positive action.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki