Joy Even in What We Lack

R’ Uri of Strelisk lived after his marriage in a small cellar in the city of Lemberg. His wife supported them by selling vegetables, earning just enough to buy dry bread. Yet no one knew of the depth of their poverty, for on his face there was never a trace of worry or distress. 

When his son, R’ Shlomo, was born, R’ Uri honored the pious and wealthy Chassid, R’ Leib Mimmeles, the Chozeh from Lublin’s brother-in-law, to serve as sandek (godfather). The bris was held in a nearby shul, and afterward, the sandek, the mohel, and Rabbi Uri’s acquaintances went to his home to partake in the celebratory meal. 

When they arrived and saw the poverty that filled the home, they were utterly shocked. Until that moment, none had realized the extreme hardship endured by this holy man in their midst. They immediately arranged for a proper meal as was fitting for a seudat mitzvah (festive meal after the circumcision). 

The next day, R” Leib Mimmeles asked R’ Uri how he earned a living, and he replied, in Yiddish, that he has two ‘ki’ (cows in Yiddish). R’ Leib understood this to mean that he owns two cows and lives from the sale of their milk. He instructed his household to buy milk from R’ Uri. But later, when his attendants went to do so, the Rebbetzin told them that they never had a cow—and that there wasn’t even a drop of milk in their home. 

Perplexed, Rabbi Leib returned to Rabbi Uri to ask what he had meant. Rabbi Uri smiled and explained: “I said that I have two ‘ki’ — these are the two ‘ki’ that Dovid HaMelech wrote about in Tehillim (33:21): ‘For (ki) our heart shall rejoice in Him, for (ki) we have trusted in His holy Name.’ These are my two ‘ki’—from them I derive my sustenance and my vitality.” 

Faith and Joy Are Bound Together 

This story teaches us that simcha and joy are intertwined with a person’s bitachon and trust in Hashem. They cannot be separated from one another. 

Bitachon gives birth to simcha. When a person relies upon Hashem with complete faith knowing that he is carried upon His shoulders and eats from His table, believing that everything in his life comes from Hashem, then all his worries and stress will dissipate. 

He believes with complete faith that nothing evil descends from Heaven, and that everything Hashem does is for the ultimate good. Therefore, he is happy in this world and radiates light, peace, and joy to all around him. He lives a truly good life, for faith itself gives life to man, as the verse says (Habakkuk 2:4): “The righteous shall live by his faith.” 

The Teaching of the Maggid and R’ Zusha 

When R’ Shmelke of Nikolsburg and his brother, the author of Hafla’ah, first came to the Maggid of Mezritch, they asked him to explain the Chazal that teaches (Brachot 54a): 

“A person is obligated to bless for the bad just as he blesses for the good.” 

They wondered: how can a person truly rejoice in misfortune as he rejoices in blessing? The Maggid told them to go to his disciple, R’ Zusha of Anapoli, and he would explain this to them. 

When they arrived at R’ Zusha’s home, they found him living in abject poverty. They told him why they had come and R’ Zusha answered:   

“I’m sorry, I cannot explain that teaching to you—because I have never experienced anything bad in my life! I have only ever seen goodness and kindness from Hashem. You’ll have to go to someone who has felt misfortune and still rejoiced in it; he can teach you that.” 

When they heard this answer, they understood Chazal clearly. They recognized that one can reach a level where nothing they perceive is bad at all. And, therefore, that can accept everything with joy and simcha. 

Living With Joy, Whatever You Have 

Pirkei Avot 6:4 teaches that a person should eat bread with salt. 

R’ Bunim of Peshischa explained, that even if all you have is bread and salt, you should consider it as a meal and eat it with life and with joy. And even if your only drink is rationed water, drink it as though you have abundant water. 

And the Mishnah continues, that even if you “live a life of suffering…”—you should “live!” – Live with vitality and happiness, and with whatever you have, live fully. Do not fall into depression or despair. Strengthen yourself with faith that this too is for the good. 

A Teaching from Modzitz 

About seventy years ago, during the period of austerity (tzena) in the Land of Israel, great poverty prevailed. Many people lacked even basic food. 

At that time, I traveled to the Holy Land to study in the Belz yeshiva, and on the ship, I met R’ Shmuel Eliyahu, the Rebbe of Modzitz. He shared with me this vort (short teaching) that offered tremendous chizuk and encouragement for anyone facing challenging times. 

This is what he told me: 

“Illness and suffering come from Heaven for one of two reasons. Among the nations, they come as punishment and vengeance for their deeds. Among Jews, however, they come from love—so that some good may come from them. 

  

“This is the meaning of the verse (Shemot 15:26): ‘All the diseases that I placed upon Egypt…’—that is, diseases that come as vengeance—’I will not place upon you, for I am the Lord your Healer.’ “I am only a healer and benefactor to Israel. Therefore, if you see illness among Jews, know that the illness itself is a form of healing—purifying the soul from sin and refining it.” 

Strengthening Ourselves with Faith 

When facing difficult times, you need to remember what Chazal wrote at the end of Sotah (9:15) regarding the hardships that will accompany the footsteps of Mashiach:  

“Upon whom can we rely? Only upon our Father in Heaven.” 

This will be an era defined by difficulties and challenges. And our focus during this period is to strengthen our emunah, to realize that all we can do is rely on Hashem and internalize the idea that everything Hashem does is for the ultimate good. 

True Joy Even in What We Lack 

This the meaning of the pasuk that describes Sukkot (Devarim 16:15), “And you shall be only joyful…” 

Sukkot is known as zman simchaseinu, the time of our rejoicing. “And you shall be only (ach)”—even when you are in a state of ach, which in the Gemara (Sanhedrin 49a) implies lack or deficiency, such as lacking livelihood—still, be joyful. 

Therefore, Chazal taught (Sukkah 48a):  

“‘And you shall be only joyful’—to include the nights of the final festival day.” 

Meaning: even in the final era of galut, of exile, when the world feels as dark as night, we must still find joy and simcha for it is also a “festival” and for our ultimate good. 

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The Kalever Rebbe is the seventh Rebbe of the Kaalov Chasidic dynasty, begun by his ancestor who was born to his previously childless parents after receiving a blessing from the Baal Shem Tov zy”a, and later learned under the Maggid of Mezeritch zt”l. The Rebbe has been involved in outreach for more than 30 years and writes weekly emails on understanding current issues through the Torah. Sign up at www.kaalov.org.