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Rabbi Yehuda {Leonard} Blank MS, BCC
Vice President of Professional Development and External Affairs
Chair of the Chaplaincy Commission
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim
917-446-2126 rablenblank@gmail.com
<> January 29, 2026, 11, Shevat, 5786<>
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On the one hand the finding of the body of the last hostage Ran Givili H”yd was finally put to rest after 844 days brought tears to the Jewish nation and others. There was also happiness that his body was finally found and able to have been put to eternal rest. There are many facets of what happiness is. The understanding of human nature and being able to overcome certain challenges in life can not only be considered a victory but can also bring happiness to a person who was able to perceive and understand how to overcome any one of those challenges in life. When a married couple is having various challenges between them and finally the husband and wife are able to be with caring, sensitive and desire to understand each other with love, it can be considered a victory sharing much happiness. For those whose lives are filled with spirituality, happiness can be found with tremendous feelings of closeness to the Ribono shel Olam.
I will share from Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, MD, and his various thoughts of spirituality and happiness from his book, Happiness and the Human Spirit. The Spirituality of Becoming the Best You Can Be. For People of All Faiths, All Backgrounds, Jewish Lights Publishing and from the internet “What is Happiness” from Psychology Today.
From: Rabbi Twerski “Faithfulness to Life.” Spirituality and happiness are inseparable. If someone is missing an arm or a leg or has no vision, this does not detract from his “personhood.” He can very well be a whole person despite a physical lack. However, if someone lacks spirituality, this detracts from her very essence as a human being. She is not complete -and she is definitely not happy! (etc.) “Faithfulness to life” Faithfulness to being the persons we were created to be. Faithfulness to living our potential. This is the essence of a spiritual person: someone ehos is in the process of becoming the best person he or she can be. Many people have some spirituality, but not enough to satisfy the spirit. To be truly happy, we need to be continually in the process of exercising and implementing the elements of the human spirit to the best of our abilities. True happiness- and true spirituality – comes from becoming the best human beings we can be.
“Something Else” “The human spirit is an integral part of a human being, much the same as the heart, liver, eyes, and ears. The human body makes its needs known very dramatically through the feelings of hunger, thirst, anger, pain, and weariness. We are immediately familiar with the body, and we do not have to think whether or not the body exists in reality.
The human spirit, however, although very real, is intangible. We cannot touch it, and it does not make its needs known as emphatically as the body does. Yet it is obvious that a human being comprises a body plus “something else.” The physical human body is essential an animal body, with rather minor anatomical differences. But we do have a number of abilities that diminish us from animals. The unique features comprise the human spirit. Animals, for instance, are motivated only by self-gratification, whereas humans have the ability to give of themselves, even sacrificing their own comfort or belongings to help total strangers. These human features, these traits that make us distinct from animals and unique as human beings, are the “something else” that defines the human spirit.
In addition to greater intelligence, some of the more obvious uniquely human features include:
- the ability to be self-aware
- the ability to be humble
- the ability to choose
- the ability to be patient
- the ability to make the most out of circumstances
- the ability to improve
- the ability to be compassionate
- the ability to have perspective
- the ability to have purpose
- the ability to search for truth
- the ability to change
I group all of these features together and purpose that the sum total of all the traits that are unique to humans is what we refer to as the human spirit. Note that I am not saying we all have all of these traits. Rather, I am saying that we have these abilities. For example, a person may or may not reflect on the purpose of existence, but every human being has the ability to do so.
This brings us full circle back to the question of happiness. To become complete human beings, to find happiness, we need to develop our human spirits to the fullest. This is what it means to be spiritual: to be the best we can be-to exercise all the qualities and traits that are unique to humankind and that give us the identity as human beings. This spirituality is an integral component of being human, and we cannot have true and enduring happiness without it. Just as we need to have a sufficient amount of iron for optimum function, we need to have a sufficient amount of spirituality to avoid the chronic discontent of Spiritual Deficiency Syndrome. To put it another way, without spirituality, the pursuit of happiness is doomed to futility.”
“What Is Happiness?”
Reviewed by Psychology” Today Staff
“Happiness is an electrifying and elusive state. Philosophers, theologians, psychologists, and even economists have long sought to define it. And since the 1990s, a whole branch of psychology—positive psychology—has been dedicated to pinning it down. More than simply positive mood, happiness is a state of well-being that encompasses living a good life, one with a sense of meaning and deep contentment.
Feeling joyful has its health perks as well. A growing body of research also suggests that happiness can improve your physical health; feelings of positivity and fulfillment seem to benefit cardiovascular health, the immune system, inflammation levels, and blood pressure, among other things. Happiness has even been linked to a longer lifespan as well as a higher quality of life and well-being.
Attaining happiness is a global pursuit. Researchers find that people from every corner of the world rate happiness more important than other desirable personal outcomes, such as obtaining wealth, acquiring material goods, and getting into heaven.
“How to Be Happy”
Happiness is not the result of bouncing from one joy to the next; researchers find that achieving happiness typically involves times of considerable discomfort. Genetic makeup, life circumstances, achievements, marital status, social relationships, even your neighbors—all influence how happy you are. Or can be. So do individual ways of thinking and expressing feelings. Research shows that much of happiness is under personal control.
Regularly indulging in small pleasures, getting absorbed in challenging activities, setting and meeting goals, maintaining close social ties, and finding purpose beyond oneself all increase life satisfaction. It isn’t happiness per se that promotes well-being, it’s the actual pursuit that’s key.
For more, see How to Find Happiness.
“Signs of a Happy Person”
Happy people live with purpose. They find joy in lasting relationships, working toward their goals, and living according to their values. The happy person is not enamored with material goods or luxury vacations. This person is fine with the simple pleasures of life—petting a dog, sitting under a tree, enjoying a cup of tea. Here are a few of the outward signs that someone is content.
- Is open to learning new things
- Is high in humility and patience
- Smiles and laughs readily
- Goes with the flow
- Practices compassion
- Is often grateful
- Exercises self-care
- Enjoys healthy relationships
- Is happy for other people
- Gives and receives without torment
- Lives with meaning and purpose
- Does not feel entitled and has fewer expectations
- Is not spiteful or insulting
- Does not hold grudges
- Does not register small annoyances
- Does not angst over yesterday and tomorrow
- Does not play games
- Is not a martyr or victim
- Is not stingy with their happiness
For more, see How To Find Happiness.
<>Myths of Happiness<>
Misperceptions abound when it comes to what we think will make us happy. People often believe that happiness will be achieved once they reach a certain milestone, such as finding the perfect partner or landing a particular salary.
Humans, however, are excellent at adapting to new circumstances, which means that people will habituate to their new relationship or wealth, return to a baseline level of happiness, and seek out the next milestone. Fortunately, the same principle applies to setbacks—we are resilient and will most likely find happiness again.
Regarding finances specifically, research shows that the sweet spot for yearly income is between $60,000 and $95,000 a year, not a million-dollar salary. Earnings above $95,000 do not equate to increased well-being; a person earning $150,000 a year will not necessarily be as happy as a person earning a lot less.
The type of thoughts below exemplifies these misconceptions about happiness:
- “I’ll be happy when I’m rich and successful.”
- “I’ll be happy when I’m married to the right person.”
- “Landing my dream job will make me happy.”
- “I can’t be happy when my relationship has fallen apart.”
- “I will never recover from this diagnosis.”
- “The best years of my life are over.”
For more, see The Science of Happiness.
<>“Positive Psychology<>
Positive psychology is the branch of psychology that explores human flourishing. It asks how individuals can experience positive emotions, develop authentic relationships, find flow, achieve their goals, and build a meaningful life.
Propelled by University of Pennsylvania psychologist Martin Seligman, the movement emerged from the desire for a fundamental shift in psychology—from revolving around disease and distress to providing the knowledge and skills to cultivate growth, meaning, and fulfillment.
For more, see Positive Psychology.
<>Happiness Over the Lifespan<>
Every person has unique life experiences, and therefore unique experiences of happiness. That being said, when scientists examine the average trajectory of happiness over the lifespan, some patterns tend to emerge. Happiness and satisfaction begin relatively high, decrease from adolescence to midlife, and rise throughout older adulthood.
What makes someone happy in their 20s may not spark joy in their 80s, and joy in someone’s 80s may have seemed irrelevant in their 20s. It’s valuable for people to continue observing and revising what makes them happy at a given time to continue striving for fulfillment throughout their lifetime.
For more, see Happiness Over the Lifespan.
<>Happiness and Health<>
Health and happiness are completely intertwined. That’s not to say that people with illnesses can’t be happy, but that attending to one’s health is an important—and perhaps underappreciated—component of well-being.
Researchers have identified many links between health and happiness—including a longer lifespan—but it’s difficult to distinguish which factor causes the other. Making changes to diet, exercise, sleep, and more can help everyone feel more content.”
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From: The Gentle Weapon. Prayers for Everyday
and Not-So-Everyday Moments
Timeless Wisdom from the
Teachings of the Hasidic Master
Rebbe Nachman of Breslov
“Loving, caring G,
all the happiness and fulfillment
in my life
come only from You,
Knowing how absolute
Is my dependence on You,
I find peace of mind.
Your presence
suffuses my life,
caressing me with
hope, joy and love.
I’ve tasted Your love,
I’ve known Your compassion,
I’ve experienced Your patience,
and I am filled with
gratefulness.”
May we be zoche to bring happiness
to others and to have happiness ourselves.
Sincerely, Rabbi Yehuda Blank