Kevin Bemel ·
Gratitude is the Key to Happiness
Parsha [Passage of Scripture] Nugget [Precious Idea] Vayeilech – Deuteronomy 30:20-31:30
Among people who live happy lives, one of the most notable traits is gratitude. In the United States where we have such plenty, do you sometimes find it difficult to feel grateful? You can increase your thankfulness by understanding the meaning behind a verse in Parshas Vayeilech:
“G-d spoke to Moses saying, your days are drawing near to die…” (Deuteronomy/Devarim 31:14)
In this Sabbath’s parsha, Moses appoints Joshua as the new leader and prepares for his final lesson and blessing. In spite of his imminent death, he focuses only on how he can help the Children of Israel.
The Source of Gratitude
There are two keys to feeling thankful:
- Recognize you cannot have it all
- Possessions belong to you temporarily
Rather than constantly wanting more, figure out how much you need to be satisfied. Then resolve to feel gratitude for what you have gotten so far as you work to reach your goal. While this seems relevant only to money, apply it to all areas of your life.
If you need to lose weight, set your goal. Then be grateful for each time you see a lower number when you step on the scale. If you want a thriving family life, start by being the kind of person you want in a mate. Make a gratitude list of the changes you have made to your character. As you become more of your ideal person, you will find you attract others like you, giving your more reasons to be thankful.
G-d is Limitless - Everything Else is Finite
The Almighty loves us boundlessly. But human life eventually ends. It’s unhealthy to live in fear of death, but your life will be immeasurably better is you realize each day is a precious gift. A story told by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin illustrates:
Two members of his community, who were fighting bitterly over a piece of land, came to his court for adjudication. He listened to each litigant’s claim and angry accusations then declared he could not reach a decision until he saw the parcel of land in dispute. The three walked to the outskirts of town where the land was located and the two disputants were astonished to see the rabbi get down and place his ear near the ground. When they asked him what he was doing, R’ Chaim replied, “I want to hear what the land itself has to say.”
“Well, what did it say?” asked the curious litigants.
“It said, ‘This one claims I belong to him, and that one claims I belong to him. But they’re both wrong. Each is destined to die and return to the earth. Both of them belong to me!’”
No matter how substantially the Creator blesses you, gratitude will help you be sure you don’t end up owned by your possessions.
How do you inspire yourself to feel gratitude? Please comment below.
You can leave a comment on this question or ask another question below ↓
Every year beginning on Simchas Torah, the cycle of reading the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, ends and begins again. Each Sabbath a portion known as a sedra or parsha is read. It is named after the first significant word or two with which this weekly reading begins.
What verse in the Old Testament would you like to know more about? Ask a question and I will answer it in a future Parsha Nugget!
