With Joy We Shall Overcome
by R. Eliezer Simcha Weisz
This new year, Tafshin Pei-Vav, 5786, carries the number פ”ו 86, which is the gematria of kos — a cup. We pray that it will be a year of Kos Yeshuot, a cup overflowing with salvations, blessings, and goodness.
The Chozeh of Lublin, Rabbi Yaakov Yitzchak Horowitz, was one of the first Hasidic leaders. He possessed Ruach HaKodesh, the ability to perceive decrees, challenges, and the potential for change in each person.
Once, the Chozeh sent one of his chassidim home just before Rosh Hashanah. He had seen a harsh decree on him but did not explain why he was sending him away. The chassid, accustomed to celebrating the holy days with his Rebbe, was confused and deeply worried. His heart was heavy, for he could not understand why he had to go home.
On the way, the chassid stayed overnight at a kretschma, an inn, where he met other chassidim traveling to the Chozeh. They sat together, ate, drank, and raised a l’chaim. The joy of that gathering lifted his spirits, and they encouraged him to return with them to Lublin, promising that the Chozeh would receive him.
When he returned, the Chozeh smiled and said:
“Now I see that the decree has been softened — the joy of the l’chaim has sweetened the judgment.”
This is deeply rooted in our tradition. During the Aseret Yimei Tshuva (Ten Days of Repentance) we recite:
זָכְרֵנוּ לְחַיִּים מֶלֶךְ חָפֵץ בַּחַיִּים, וְכָתְבֵנוּ בְּסֵפֶר הַחַיִּים, לְמַעַנְךָ אֱלֹקים חַיִּים
Zochreinu l’chaim, Melech chafetz b’chaim, v’kotevinu b’sefer ha-chayim, lema’ancha Elokim Chaim
“Remember us for life, O King Who desires life. Inscribe us in the Book of Life, for Your sake, God of life.”
These are ten words for the Ten Days, with Elokim Chaim corresponding to Yom Kippur. The word Elokim has the gematria of kos — 86. Just as Yom Kippur brings forgiveness, so too a heartfelt kos l’chaim raised in joy can change a person’s fate.
Chazal teach:
כשישראל אוכלים ושותים ומברכין ומשבחין ומקלסין להקב״ה, הקב״ה מקשיב לקולם ומתרצה
“When Israel eat and drink, bless and praise G‑D, He listens to their voice and is appeased.” (Shir HaShirim Rabbah 8)
And Nechemiah instructs:
וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם לְכוּ אִכְלוּ מַשְׁמַנִּים וּשְׁתוּ מַמְתַקִּים וְשִׁלְחוּ מָנוֹת לְאֵין נָכוֹן לוֹ, כִּי קָדוֹשׁ הַיּוֹם לַאדֹנֵינוּ
“Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, for this day is holy to our G‑D.” (Nechemiah 8:10)
Even in days of awe and trembling, joy is essential. As the verse teaches:
כִּי בְשִׂמְחָה תֵצֵאוּ (Ki v’simcha tetze’u)
“With joy shall you go out.”
Through joy we overcome obstacles. G‑D Himself rejoices when He sees His children rejoicing. He listens when we are happy, and in that joy lies our success.
We all face difficulties, disappointments, and challenges. But there is a good and caring G‑D watching over us. Judaism does not say: “don’t worry” — we must take responsibility. But it does say: be happy. Be happy, and you will overcome. Be happy, and good things will come your way. Be happy, and you will see the bright side of life. Always look on the bright side of life.
Let us raise our kos this year with gratitude and joy. May Hashem bless us with life, blessing, and a truly overflowing Kos Yeshuot, with all our wishes fulfilled for our good — with health, happiness, nachat, joy; joy with our partners, joy with our children — and all that we hope for, all for the good.