This week's parsha starts by telling us about the Bikurem which is the ceremony for the first ripe fruits. When the Jews settle the land of Israel, they bring the first fruit from their field to the Kohen in the Beis Hamikdash every year. The farmer makes a declaration and recalls the Avot, The exodus and past struggles of Jewish history. The farmer is commanded to rejoice in all that God has given to him and his family.
Is the Torah commanding the farmer to be happy? How can you command someone to be happy? Can people make themselves happy or is it something innate? Can a pessimist become an optimist?
Happiness is not a topic in psychology that has had much scrutiny and publication. Other topics such as depression and anxiety have a disproportionate amount of focus and attention paid to them when compared to happiness.
Most would agree that happiness is an important issue and very relevant to their well being, but how much time do we actually spend cultivating happiness? Like the farmer bringing the first fruits, happiness is not something that is random, it is the product of work over time.
The Economist had a fascinating article regarding happiness. They chose two people, a Dr. from Africa and an unemployed man from North Carolina and explored their happiness levels. What they found was although the man from North Carolina had far more material wealth than his African counterpart, one reason he was unhappy was because he watched TV. Instead of appreciating what he had, he was made to feel as though his life was lacking because he did not have what the corporations were selling him.
Within the declaration of the first fruits ceremony there is a statement at the end, to be happy with everything. The first fruits (Bikurem) are brought once a farmer has settled the land and had success in their field. This is the sign of success in society today, a good house, a good neighborhood, a good job, to be first in your field.
The specific text of the declaration for the Bikurem describes the journey of the Jewish people, when they were young and first starting out. Appreciation of the past and an understanding of your personal and national identity is foundational to a happy mental worldview. An appreciation meditation.
Is the Torah commanding the farmer to be happy? How can you command someone to be happy? Can people make themselves happy or is it something innate? Can a pessimist become an optimist?
Happiness is not a topic in psychology that has had much scrutiny and publication. Other topics such as depression and anxiety have a disproportionate amount of focus and attention paid to them when compared to happiness.
Most would agree that happiness is an important issue and very relevant to their well being, but how much time do we actually spend cultivating happiness? Like the farmer bringing the first fruits, happiness is not something that is random, it is the product of work over time.
The Economist had a fascinating article regarding happiness. They chose two people, a Dr. from Africa and an unemployed man from North Carolina and explored their happiness levels. What they found was although the man from North Carolina had far more material wealth than his African counterpart, one reason he was unhappy was because he watched TV. Instead of appreciating what he had, he was made to feel as though his life was lacking because he did not have what the corporations were selling him.
Within the declaration of the first fruits ceremony there is a statement at the end, to be happy with everything. The first fruits (Bikurem) are brought once a farmer has settled the land and had success in their field. This is the sign of success in society today, a good house, a good neighborhood, a good job, to be first in your field.
The specific text of the declaration for the Bikurem describes the journey of the Jewish people, when they were young and first starting out. Appreciation of the past and an understanding of your personal and national identity is foundational to a happy mental worldview. An appreciation meditation.