Guest Editorial: The Search for Happiness

by Rabbi Brian I. Michelson Reform Congregation Oheb Sholom Reading, PA

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” This sentence opens one of the most important documents for us as Americans, the first sentence of the Declaration of Independence. I have often wondered about the last phrase, “the pursuit of Happiness.” Why does this foundational document only provide for the pursuit and not the promise of happiness?

Most of the research on happiness has shown that meaningful relationships with others are the key to the “pursuit of happiness.” I am going to make a broad generalization, always a risky thing, but I think it is hard to be happy alone and joy is an emotion that is almost always shared, for a time, with others. Within the Bible, we are commanded not to celebrate as individuals but rather rejoice in community—in relationship to other people. I don’t know about you, but I do know that for me, my greatest moments of joy have always involved others. Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, considered one of the greatest Jewish writers on Jewish ethics and spirituality, argued that joy is transient and shared. Happiness is in moments that come and go. This is why the American founders focused on the pursuit of happiness. They understood that the freedom to pursue these moments was worth fighting for.

In addition, I have often found a connection between happiness and those who have a rich spiritual life. This can come from a specific religious tradition or from someone who has deep connections outside of themselves and to the concept of gratitude. In Judaism, we call this Hakarat Hatov, focusing on or bringing near the good. We are taught to give thanks for what we have, remembering that in most circumstances, how lucky we truly are. Rabbi Ben Zoma once taught, “Who is rich? The one happy with their lot,” the one who can express gratitude and a spiritual tie to something outside of themselves.1

Living in our post-pandemic world, I find many people struggling to find happiness and joy in their lives. I think that is because we live lives that seem to be alienated from other people. We retreated into the safety of ourselves to protect our health, but even now the impact of this change lingers on. We live in a world where religious communities have tested our faith with priests, rabbis, and pastors failing to live up to their moral or ethical responsibilities to their communities, leaving people shocked and unsure of where they can find community. However, most of all our happiness is at risk because of our emphasis on individualism and toxic polarization. “I do what I think and what is best for me and me alone and if you disagree with me you are evil and bad.” We have prioritized the individual over the community, over relationships with others, and we wonder why happiness is so hard to find.

The founders were right. We live in “the pursuit of Happiness.” May we open our hearts and our minds to this challenge as we seek joy and happiness as individuals within a community.