[Avodah] ha-sameach be-chelko

[Richard Wolpoe]

On 9/17/07, Eli Turkel <eliturkel at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I have a question about what the phrase ha-sameach be-chelko means?
> Simple pshat would indicate that one does not strive to be better/richer
> but is happy with where he is
>
> 1. modern (western) society prizes "progress". Our civilization has
> progressed materially because of people who wanted to change things and
> were
> not happy with the status quo. For example in the stock market a company
> that makes a billion dollars every year is not desirable. A company is
> supposed
> to continuously increase revenues through new innovations. We view
> "eastern"
> religions as the sleepy type with yoga where people are happy but they
> live
> like they lived 2000 years ago.
>
> 2. In spiritual matters ha-sameach be-chelko seems even less appropriate.
> It seems to be the opposite of teshuva which says that one should never be
> happy
> with ones status and always work on getting better.
>
> It certainly seems to be against the philosophy of RYBS who stressed that
> religion is not the opiate of the masses. Rather Judaism involves a
> constant struggle.
>
> I return to the question of how to interpret ha-sameach be-chelko
>
> shana tova
>
> --
> Eli Turkel
> _


A non-Jewish Philospher once stated:
Longing for what you do NOT have
Expresses lack of appreciation for that which you DO have!

This parallels yesh lo maneh rotzeh masayim, etc.

The trick here is to appreciate and be grateful for everything you have and
to still strive for more w/o feeling regret over "What is"

Health mashal:
A person is involved - heaven Forbid  - in a serious car accident. He comes
out alive but he is baned-up badly and has broken bones, contusions,
bruises, etc.

He benches Gomel for his very Life that has been spared
Yett he still davens for a REFUAH SHLEIMA in order to be restored to total
health.

If he remains complacent he will be a grateful cripple
If he becomes completely  unappreciative and dissatsified, he may grow into
a bitter - albeit healed, survivor.
The trick is to Thank HKBH for what He has already done for him and yet to
still ask for more.

Life can be a balancing act...


-- 
Kesiva vaChasima Tova
Best Wishes for 5768,
RabbiRichWolpoe at Gmail.com
Please Visit:
http://nishmablog.blogspot.com/
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