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The Secret to Finding Your Happiness

What the Holiday of Sukkot Teaches Us

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The Secret to Finding Your Happiness: What the Holiday of Sukkot Teaches Us

Who doesn't want more happiness in their lives? The holiday of Sukkot teaches us the secret key for making joy more accessible throughout the year!

Topics:

Joy; Happiness, Sukkot

By Chana Weisberg

Chana Weisberg is the editor of TheJewishWoman.org and host of the Ordinary People, Extraordinary Stories podcast. She lectures internationally on issues relating to women, relationships, meaning, self-esteem and the Jewish soul. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, Shabbat Delights, is a two-volume series on the weekly Torah portion.

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18 Comments

Jan Thompson Green Valley AZ September 21, 2018

Add a comment... Another wonderful thought that causes me to look inside myself ! Thank you again, for your unending wisdom!!! Just what I needed today! Reply

David Harold Chester Petach Tikva, Israel October 22, 2017

I associate of happiness also with Purim. Without the success of Purim and the defeat of Hyman and his cruel passions there would not be any Jews remaining. Joy with the water libations during Succot is not to be forgotten and some even claim that this is the occasion of our greatest joy. But happiness is deeper than joy and can be expressed my something more than song and dance. I believe that G-d wants us to be happy and joyful, although I am not sure why and because my faith is partly based on reason I find the need to ask this question. Reply

Joginder Rajpal Finland October 11, 2017

Thanks for your inspirational words. God bless you. Reply

Angel Sevilla, SPAIN. October 22, 2016

Thank you, God bless you. Reply

David Chester Petach Tikva, Israel. October 18, 2016

Happiness is Only Part of the Story The way this question is treated implies that people can either be continuously happy or continuously sad. This is incorrect for two reasons a) they can alternate between these two states and b) they can be both at once. The latter deserves more explanation. Since our emotional (soulful) make-up contains two layers, both minds and spirits, it allows us to be happy over Succot whilst simultaneously being sadly aware of the starving masses of children in the poorer parts of the world.

Just about all of our understanding of this life is made up of two opposing views and it is only when we balance them that we can remain sane. This is a difficult but most necessary task. It is in contrast to the attitude of having faith in one thing. So I myself have a need to see our faith as an imperfectly balanced situation, but I am sure that most basic Chabudnicks would not agree. And this is why I find that agnostics and certain Ba'alei Tsuvot as being more sincere Jews and Holocaust family sadness. Reply

ARIEL Oxford October 17, 2016

Thanks 🙏 For your words Reply

M. Diane Flushing, NY October 17, 2016

My glorious little cloud of contentment You made me remember that as a child, my father noticed that there always seemed to be a fluffy white cloud over my head no matter where we went. I never paid much attention to it, but dad thought it meant something. One day at the beach, he decided to document it. I still have that picture of me standing there with my little fluffy cloud right over my head. Surely, G-d has led and protected this one all of her days. She is content with what He has provided. May G-d continue to do as He has done. (Somebody please say "Amen"). Reply

Bev Bennett ROCHESTER October 7, 2022

in response to M. Diane:

Amen Reply

M. Diane October 7, 2022

in response to Bev Bennett:

Thank you so much, Bev! Reply

Pesha Mchenry IL October 16, 2016

Thank you This was beautifully done. This really stirred up some emotions, which helped me more then you can know. Thank you Reply

jim dallas October 16, 2016

great points especially in particular i responded to the realization of the clouds guiding, very esoteric seeming, and the whole journey too. thanks. Reply

S UK October 14, 2016

Thank you Thank you, for reminding me of the reassuring comfort HaShem has for us all. Sukkot is also a reminder that material possessions are not always necessary, yet we cannot live constructive lives without spirituality. Have a happy Holiday and may HaShem continue to bless you and your family in all your hard work sharing with 'others' the teachings of the Torah. Reply

kameo netherlands October 14, 2016

very interesting! i really feel much connected to judaism! Reply

Anonymous USA October 14, 2016

Profound Message Thank you, profound message that our vulnerability is in fact the key to lowering our ego hence expectation hence frustration - we see this innate joy in children Reply

Dr walker Thailand October 13, 2016

Where was god in the holocaust Hard to believe this after 95 percent of my family were murdered by the nazis in ww2 Reply

Anonymous monsey May 18, 2017

in response to Dr walker:

Judaism was controlled by the reform so G-D had to do some refurbishing !
Look now at how Judaism is flourishing in a cloud of glory! Reply

Aviva Ny October 13, 2016

Thank you Chana. Your lessons are always inspiring. All the more so when it was 'just what I needed to hear' may Hashem continue blessing you and yours!
Shana Tova! Reply

marco alas Chatta December 25, 2017

in response to Aviva:

Add a Awesome Thank you Reply

The Secret to Finding Your Happiness: What the Holiday of Sukkot Teaches Us

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