THE INNER PATH

Written by Chavi Kaufman

What Will Bring Simchah?

"Vesamachta bechagecha... vehayisa ach sameach."

As the akeres habayis, we have the privilege of creating the atmosphere of Yom Tov in our homes. But where should we invest our limited energy?

The Gemara teaches that one must bring joy to each member of the household "with what is fitting for them": men with meat and wine, women with clothing and jewelry, and children with treats.

The Torah does not prescribe one standard Yom Tov. It directs us to notice what will bring joy to the actual people before us.

Before Yom Tov, it's easy to become absorbed in what the neighbors do, what the magazines present, or what we imagine a beautiful Yom Tov must look like. But the goal is not the production – it is the simchah.

Perhaps one child will truly treasure the perfectly coordinated outfit, while another wants nothing more than to bake with Mommy. One family delights in an elaborate menu and a beautiful table setting; another needs a mother who can sit peacefully at the table.

When we pause and ask what will genuinely bring simchah into this particular home, our preparations become an authentic expression of celebrating the moed with the Bashefer.