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The Chassidic Approach To Joy | Unleashing Inner Joy: Overcoming Anxiety, Anger, and Depression | Ancient Torah Wisdom Applied To Modern Day Challenges
For more than two centuries, individuals who have lived by the teachings of Jewish mysticism and Chassidus have been recognized as people full of joy and inspiration, radiating life and energy. This genuine joy comes from profound spiritual awareness of life and an absolute clarity of direction, living for a purpose. Now with [this book] you too can explore the mystical depths of your soul as well as the universe at large, on the well-traveled path to pure, internal happiness. These lessons are presented in a clear simple language by [a] rabbi [and] lecturer on Chassidic Philosophy"--Book jacket.
117 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 11, 2018
I think that feeling simcha, feeling joy, is probably the most difficult mitzvah. Sounds like it would be easy but it is not. This book tells one how to approach this mitzvah and why it is so important.
December 10, 2013
This was a very good book and a light read. The subject matter is deep, but Rabbi Majeski makes it easy to follow and understand. So, why not more stars? My issue is with Chassidus (or maybe specifically Chabad Chassidus), not Rabbi Majeski.
Is everything happening because of divine design? Is it all for a good reason? The Creator could certainly do things in many different ways. He could have created the world, then stood back and had no interaction with people's lives. He could have created the world, then gotten involved in the serious decisions (spouse, job, children, etc.). He could have created the world, and then predestined (or just known) everything - what socks you'll wear tomorrow, why you should miss the bus today, that you will trip over a rock and skin your knee, and so on - all because it's good for you.
But, does the Almighty preordain such things? Does He know (because he is omniscient) that I will sleep in next Thursday, miss my bus, get to work late, and be disciplined at work? If He does know that, did He make it happen? Would it be for a good reason? Would I ever understand? Is that important?
Therein lies my complaint. For many things, you can say that they are the will of G-d, so accept it. It all happens for a good reason. Maybe we will never understand how good the reason is. Perhaps we should try to understand everything. Bu what about things like the Holocaust? Was that for a good reason that we just don't understand? Was it for the best? What about when my own son died? Did my Creator take his life for a good reason? Was it for the best? Was there a lesson for me? Did I learn it? Could I have not learned it in another way? Maybe I am disagreeing with G-d's methods because I don't like the outcomes, but is everything - every little thing - orchestrated by divine will and for the best?
I believe we look back on what happened and try to apply our own human logic to how everything was for the best and ultimately worked out. I don't believe that every small detail of our life was known in advance (either by preordination or by omniscience) and that we are simply acting out the play that was scripted for us.
Also, while I favor the theory of tzaddikim, I don't believe that even our great sages are men who could be described as having never sinned. To be human is to be less than divine by our very nature. If we were perfect, we would be divine, which we are not.
It is good advice to dwell on something else if you are having issues that you can't resolve yourself. Although the story about the wife whose husband comes home drunk and yells at her every night just letting him vent until he lost interest is maybe not the soundest advice. Maybe the husband should be dealing with his addictions more than his wife should accept her lot.
I agree that we should try to remain b'simchah - filled with real joy - because it's good for us, not because we think that everything that is happening us preordained and for the best. Anyway, read the book for yourself, and see what you think.
Is everything happening because of divine design? Is it all for a good reason? The Creator could certainly do things in many different ways. He could have created the world, then stood back and had no interaction with people's lives. He could have created the world, then gotten involved in the serious decisions (spouse, job, children, etc.). He could have created the world, and then predestined (or just known) everything - what socks you'll wear tomorrow, why you should miss the bus today, that you will trip over a rock and skin your knee, and so on - all because it's good for you.
But, does the Almighty preordain such things? Does He know (because he is omniscient) that I will sleep in next Thursday, miss my bus, get to work late, and be disciplined at work? If He does know that, did He make it happen? Would it be for a good reason? Would I ever understand? Is that important?
Therein lies my complaint. For many things, you can say that they are the will of G-d, so accept it. It all happens for a good reason. Maybe we will never understand how good the reason is. Perhaps we should try to understand everything. Bu what about things like the Holocaust? Was that for a good reason that we just don't understand? Was it for the best? What about when my own son died? Did my Creator take his life for a good reason? Was it for the best? Was there a lesson for me? Did I learn it? Could I have not learned it in another way? Maybe I am disagreeing with G-d's methods because I don't like the outcomes, but is everything - every little thing - orchestrated by divine will and for the best?
I believe we look back on what happened and try to apply our own human logic to how everything was for the best and ultimately worked out. I don't believe that every small detail of our life was known in advance (either by preordination or by omniscience) and that we are simply acting out the play that was scripted for us.
Also, while I favor the theory of tzaddikim, I don't believe that even our great sages are men who could be described as having never sinned. To be human is to be less than divine by our very nature. If we were perfect, we would be divine, which we are not.
It is good advice to dwell on something else if you are having issues that you can't resolve yourself. Although the story about the wife whose husband comes home drunk and yells at her every night just letting him vent until he lost interest is maybe not the soundest advice. Maybe the husband should be dealing with his addictions more than his wife should accept her lot.
I agree that we should try to remain b'simchah - filled with real joy - because it's good for us, not because we think that everything that is happening us preordained and for the best. Anyway, read the book for yourself, and see what you think.
March 20, 2025
A really good read
Very well written and explained. The author doesn't leave a stone unturned when it comes to addressing the different thought processes humans encounter under difficult situations. He uses excellent parables throughout the book to explain complex concepts.
Very well written and explained. The author doesn't leave a stone unturned when it comes to addressing the different thought processes humans encounter under difficult situations. He uses excellent parables throughout the book to explain complex concepts.
June 4, 2025
Rabbi Majeski is so profound and wise. I learned from him for a week at Machon L’Yahadus and could practically hear him speaking every word of this book. He’s one of the few people that has altered my worldview, and he did so in such a short time.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews