Simchah It's Not Just Happiness

by Twerski, Abraham J., MD

• ISBN13: 9781422602188
• ISBN10: 1422602184
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-11-01
• Publisher: Shaar Press

Summary

Everyone wants to be "happy," but is happiness enough? It's not. We go to simchas; we wish each other "chag sameach"; but do we really understand the profound meaning of living in a steady state of joy? How is simchah different from - and far superior to - the more fleeting and elusive emotion of happiness? How can one have simchah even during times of sadness and even mourning? How is simchah cultivated through our holiday celebrations, through such practical mitzvos as tefillin, mezuzah, the laws of family purity, and through such significant rites of passage as bris milah, pidyon haben, and more? In his refreshingly practical style, Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski M.D. has produced an unparalleled work on simchah, the single character trait that may be the secret to success in all aspects of observance and learning. A fast read with a heavy emphasis on "how to," this is a Dr. Twerski book you'll be recommending to friends and family for years to come.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 7
Simchah - the Foundation of Mitzvos	p. 15
What Is Simchah?	p. 19
Simchah - Not Only Joy	p. 28
Coexistence of Simchah and Sadness	p. 32
The Power of Simchah	p. 39
Attaining Simchah	p. 42
All "Simchas" Can Lead to Joyous Simchah	p. 48
Simchah and the Family	p. 50
Shabbos - the Holiness of Time	p. 55
Tefillah (Prayer)	p. 67
Tzedakah and Gemilas Chassadim	p. 76
Bircas HaMazon (Blessing After Meals)	p. 83
Mezzuzah	p. 89
The Shofar and Rosh Hashanah	p. 92
Yom Kippur - a Fresh Start	p. 97
Succos and the Four Species	p. 101
Passover - A Prelude to Simchah	p. 107
Counting of the Omer	p. 112
Shavuos and the Torah	p. 116
Chanukah - the Light of Judaism	p. 120
Purim -The Greatest Miracle?	p. 124
Rosh Chodesh (The New Month) - Renewal	p. 128
Tzitzis - The Threads that Bind	p. 131
Tefillin-Thought and Deed	p. 134
Honoring Parents	p. 140
The Chukim	p. 143
Bris Milah (Circumcision)	p. 146
Pidyon Haben (Redemption of the First-Born Son)	p. 150
Marriage and Family	p. 153
Emunah (Faith)	p. 156
The Human Being - A Speaking Soul	p. 160
Berachos (Blessings)	p. 165
You Shall Be Holy	p. 168
A Demeanor of Simchah	p. 171
Doing What is "Fair and Good"	p. 175
Middos	p. 180
Does Mourning Negate Simchah?	p. 195
Epilogue	p. 198
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