The Secret of Happiness2 min read

The primary blemish of the Dor HaMabul was that they were constantly dissatisfied with what they had. This caused them to crave the money, property, and wives of their neighbors, and ultimately led to thievery, cheating, and adultery. After wiping out this malady from the world by filling the entire planet with the purifying mikvah water of the mabul, Hashem divulges a deep secret to Noach, the key to happiness which would allow him to avoid these negative behaviors. What is that secret? In the words of our Sages, “Who is rich? One who is happy with his lot.”

When a person lives with emunah and bitachon, trusting that he needs nothing more to achieve happiness than what Hashem has allotted him and expressing his gratitude for whatever unearned blessing fills his life, he never feels the need to seek completion in the property of his neighbor. Despite whatever he may lack, such a person sees himself as having everything he needs. Although in truth he may have only a small amount in quantity, such a person’s experience of the quality by which that amount is saturated is tremendously great and ever-increasing. It is only when one is unable to put this rule into practice that no matter how much he should amass of those things he desires, he is constantly plagued by a feeling of lack and discontent which compel him to look into the life of someone else for comfort and satisfaction.

The Ishbitzer sees Hashem’s transmission of this foundational lesson to Noach in the command to procreate, “Shirtzu b’aretz”. The word “shirtzu”, while literally translated as “abound”, may be seen as referring to the idea of contentment with a small amount, as a “sheretz” is a small creature. “R’vu” is a form of the word “rav”, which implies a great sum.

Thus, our verse may be read in the following manner: “Shirtzu b’aretz”: Hashem tells Noach, “Be content with the small portion you are allotted on this earth, “ur’vu bah”: and you will see that despite its apparent paucity, your experience of its quality will be extremely great, allowing you to feel perfectly content. “Who is rich? One who is happy with his lot.”