L'ilu'ie Nishmas R' Yochanon Mordecai ben R' Ephraim
"A happy heart is a fine remedy" (Mishlei 17:22).
A happy heart is the most powerful of all healing agents!
In this light, good children bring joy to their parents more than anything else in the world. To provide one's children with proper education and train them to have virtuous character traits is a healing balm for the parents. The happiness parents feel in seeing their children grow to be good and decent is the medicine that heals both body and soul.
Rabbi Baruch Ber Leibowitz was an esteemed Rosh Yeshiva in the period before World War II. The best student in the Yeshiva was a son from an impoverished family. The boy's father ran a small grocery store, which hardly broke even. Whenever Rabbi Leibowitz would pass the store, he would say, "Here's the millionaire!"
He knew that despite the financial hardships, the father was intensely happy! There is no worldly joy that comes close to the pleasure of having a son who is a Torah Scholar. The happiness of having such a son made the father a genuine millionaire!
Each one of us is a "child of HaShem!" He loves us and takes pride in our holy essence and good deeds. Our yearning to please HaShem gives Him great delight!
Let us internalize the message of the verse, "A happy heart is a fine remedy." Reflect on the unbounded goodness, love, and compassion that the Creator showers upon you. Heighten your awareness a little more each day of HaShem's kindness. Strengthen the happiness in your heart and enjoy the most excellent remedy.
(Based on the commentary of Rabenu Yona to Mishlei)
