The logistics of Simcha...

Note: 1) Currently blogging from away as I'm doing some Purim Shlichus. So until next week, the derher may not exactly be daily. 2) It is now easier to comment as no registration is required.

Well, it's Adar and that means we're supposed to be happy. "Simcha Poretz Geder" is one of those lines that we always use. But sometimes the phrases most often said are the ones least understood. What exactly are the logistics behind Simcha breaking all barriers?

The following is based on something I recently learned:

You know the story. The parents of an older unmarried girl from Newark came to the Rebbe asking for a Berachah for a shidduch for their daughter. The Rebbe told them to close their store on Shabbos and then she would find her match. They responded that they want things to work the other way: When she finds her match, they would close their store on Shabbos. The discussion ended in a stalemate.

Years passed and she remained unmarried. Then the Newark riots occured. There store was hit hard. At their advanced age, they decided against reopening the damaged store. And thus, the store was "closed" on Shabbos. A short time later she was engaged. Apparently, things had to follow a certain order...

Now, what does this have to do with Simcha? Well, people always say that if they get A, B, and C they will be happy. As soon as their needs are met, they can live a cheerful upbeat life. That sounds good and makes sense. But often, Hashem wants it the other way around. Be happy and then you can get A, B, and C. The Simcha itself is the vehicle and key to get what you need. In short, Be happy and you'll reasons to be happy!

Now moving slightly deeper: Chassidus speaks about many differant Kochos of a person. These Kochos don't come out on their own. There must be something that arouses them to surface. There is a key that unlocks them - a trigger that releases them. Chassidus calls these the "gates" to the Kochos. There are Sharei Chachma...Sharei Bina....etc The deeper the Koach, the harder it is to access, and the more hidden the gate.

But then there is our deepest Koach. Ta'nug. Ta'nug means much more than its usual translation of "pleasure." It's something that is hard to pinpoint behind its deep within our subconscious. It's a certain feeling of peacefullness. Tranquility. Satisfaction. And Chassidus says this Koach has no gate of entry. There are no regular keys to unleash it.

So how to we access something that has not gate? Well, if the door doesn't open, it has to be broken.

It is Simcha that breaks down the barriers and allows us to access "Ta'nug."

Simcha Poretz Geder.