How can we celebrate while so many of our brothers and sisters worldwide are suffering” was the question I was asked by a father whose son will soon be celebrating his Bar Mitzvah.
“We are being encouraged to tone down on the Simcha of our upcoming wedding”, I was told by a bride and groom who are struggling to balance the pain and solidarity they are feeling with Am Yisrael and the joy and excitement they are feeling for the upcoming happiest day of their lives.
My response was unequivocal. We must in fact INCREASE THE JOY!
The goal of terror is not only to hurt its direct target, but also for its tentacles to reach out and disturb wide and far.
A Bar/Bat Miztvah and a wedding is not just a party. It’s a generational celebration that creates another link in the chain that connects our past with the commitment we make to our Jewish future. Decreasing our joy is a victory to terrorism.
Unbridled Joy has always played an integral role in the secret of Jewish resilience and survival.
Sensitively, actively and consciously we must INCREASE THE JOY.
RABBI VELLY SLAVIN
Chabad Malvern Meaningful Living Centre Chabad Malvern’s Giving Kitchen
Jews In Recovery Melbourne
