BS’D
What causes us to laugh; being caught by surprise and witnessing the unexpected. The more unprepared we are for what is coming, the harder we laugh. In essence, laughter creates a sense of freedom from our expectations. When our minds and hearts can no longer contain the joy we hold within, it breaks loose and comes forth from the mouth in the form of laughter. How does this serve to guide us on our spiritual path particularly in Chodesh Adar?
In Tehillim (126:2) it is written, “Then our mouths will be filled with laughter…” After 120 years IY’H when the bigger picture is painted in front of us we will be able to truly laugh. The challenges we experienced in this world will be unmasked and by contrast appear as moments of redemption. Moments of hardships will be seen as irreplaceable opportunities for the soul’s rectification; clearly a reaction we cannot fathom in our current state.
Chodesh Adar teaches precisely this; v’nahafoch hu (everything is turned upside down); what appears as an unbearable hardship will eventually be seen as a source of great happiness. On a subconscious level we know this to be true. The story of Purim unmasks this concealed reality and thus we are enveloped with joy and laughter.
The Ba’al Shem Tov HaKadosh teaches that laughter has the power to redeem our constricted mindset from exile and cause our minds to perceive the truthful reality of Hashem’s involvement in every aspect of life for our ultimate best. Happiness is connected to certainty as Chazal teaches us, “There is no joy so great as the elimination of doubt”.
Call it happiness, laughter, or living doubt-free – all they are are different words for the same word EMUNA.
Today’s Daily Dose of Emuna is dedicated to the refuah shleimah of Noam Avraham ben Galit, a 14 month old who is in ICU with meningitis. May HaKadosh Baruch Hu send him a complete healing amongst all of Klal Yisrael who are sick and suffering b’karov, b’rachamim, Amen.
