The Simcha of Sukkos
An exploration of the profound role of simcha during Sukkos, contrasting contemporary perspectives on happiness with more expansive interpretations of simcha.
You might have noticed that Sukkos revolves around the central theme of "simcha". The days of Sukkos are termed "Zman Simchaseinu," interchangeably translated as Time of our Happiness and Time of our Rejoicing. Throughout Sukkos we celebrate the Simchas Beis HaShoeva and we also conclude the chag with Simchas Torah.
What is this simcha of Sukkos? Is it about singing happy songs and dancing in circles? What if that doesn’t resonate on an individual level?
Let’s explore the depth of this simcha and its significance during Sukkos. To start, we’ll examine the modern explanations of happiness, as well as the broader understanding and interpretation of simcha.
From a psychological perspective1, happiness is often associated with milestones like earning a degree, purchasing a house, or taking a much-awaited vacation. Such achievements bring about euphoria, a radiant joy. However, this elation is temporary due to a concept termed "hedonic adaptation," wherein the intensity of these feelings gra…
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Shui’s Newsletter to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.