Israelis: Don't Worry, Be Happy
On the Jewish calendar, we are entering the month of Adar, during which we celebrate Purim, the victory of Esther and Mordecai over the evil Haman, some 2,500 years ago, and recounted in the book of Esther.
Because of Purim, Adar is a month filled with joy. Our tradition is “From the Beginning of Adar—Rejoicing Increases!” This is played out in our actions, celebrations and song.
While we hope that life is always filled with joy, and even among trying times there are always things to celebrate, Adar makes us seek these out and highlight them. In this context, two thoughts came to mind.
Israel has been ranked 11th among the most happy people/countries in the world. The UN-commissioned world happiness report listed only 10 countries in which the citizens are happier. For some, this will sound like a paradox, almost justifiably, as it’s most common in the media to depict Israel simplistically as a place of conflict, war and terrorism.
Indeed, every time I travel to the U.S. to speak in churches, on TV and radio programs, and in other venues, I am asked, “Isn’t it dangerous in Israel?" The idea of threats we face (which are real and I do not diminish) and Israelis being among the happiest in the world on the surface does seem like there’s a conflict.
The truth is, I am happier here. My kids are happy. We have a great quality of life, and I perceived that as a kid in high school myself, which became one of the driving factors in my moving to Israel. But not wanting to write just about how great my life is in Israel, I asked friends what they thought. Did they agree with the survey’s results? If so, why?
The following is not scientific but gives a sense of why the survey got it right. Why are we happy? Here's why:
- We merit being here after 2,000 years in Diaspora.
- The people we see daily are Jewish and also love being in a Jewish country.
- We have a sense of national purpose that many Western nations have lost.
- The country is full of life. People do things here. They do things with their families. Have you ever noticed family events involve children, parents, grandparents and sometimes even the great grandparents?
- The beaches are amazing. The hikes up north are breathtaking. The weather is beautiful. No snow storms, no hurricanes, and no rain for half a year.
- The food in Israel is healthy and delicious. This might seem like a minor thing, but I just bought a whole bag of grapes, and they are so delicious I literally started laughing. I never had fruit like this in America.
Here we have meaning from our collective past, from our history, from having a bit of struggle, from seeing miracles as part of our survival to see the Jewish dream materialize and us being a part of it.
I am nearing my 10th anniversary in Israel and would add one point personally. While Israel is a place that’s been a refuge for Jews fleeing hatred and persecution in countries around the world, it’s also a magnet for people like me who look to move up, spiritually and qualitatively. The word to move to Israel is Aliyah which means "to go up," reflecting this reality.
Finally, going back to Purim and the Book of Esther, one sentence from 2,500 years ago still resonates today: “If Mordecai, before whom you have begun to fall, be of the seed of the Jews, you shall not prevail against him, but shall surely fall before him” (Esth. 6:13).
Happy Purim and a joyous Adar.
To read the full original blog post, click here.
Recommended:
CELEBRATE PURIM WITH ISRAEL FOREVER
Bring Israel into your Purim celebrations today!
About the Author
