“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh parshas Shoftim
1 Elul 5786/ August 14, 2026
Rosh Chodesh Elul – Avos perek 1-2
GOOD LUCK
Luck doesn’t seem to be a very Jewish concept. We don’t believe in coincidences. The concept of hashgacha pratis dictates that everything that occurs to us is part of a divine plan, tailored for us.
Interestingly, the English word “happy” comes from the word “hap,” which means luck or chance. It’s the root of the words “happen,” “perhaps,” and “haphazard,” all of which connote something that occurs by chance.
We commonly think happiness is a result of our circumstances. If I get lucky and have money to spend on great stuff, then I’ll be happy. But that is not a very Jewish attitude or perspective.
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski notes that attaining simcha, as opposed to happiness, requires effort and investment. We cannot be instructed “Ivdu es Hashem b’simcha—Serve Hashem with simcha,” if simcha was based on external conditions. The word Ivdu, means to “serve,” like the root avad, to work. True simchais the result of one’s efforts to grow and accomplish.
Ashkenazic Jews wish each other “Mazel Tov” as an expression of congratulations. Rabbi Yisroel Reisman notes that the origin of this expression, however, is unclear. It does not appear in the Gemara, Rishonim, or early Acharonim.
The meaning of the words is also unclear. If mazal is commonly defined as “luck”, mazal tov means “Good Luck.” But that has nothing to do with congratulations.
In addition, if simcha does not mean happiness based on fortuitous circumstances, mazal tov cannot refer simply to good luck. Why would we bless a chasan and kallah that they have “Good luck,” as they prepare to walk down to their chuppah?
Rav Eliyahu Dessler (quoted in a footnote in Michtav M’Eliyahu 4:p98) explained that Mazal does not mean “luck.” A person can have a mazal to be poor or rich, healthy or ill. Such things are not a matter of luck. Rather, they are a reference to an individual’s unique purpose in this world, his tafkid. Wealth, poverty, and illness are tools or challenges to help a person fulfill his unique tafkid.
When a person gets married, the hope is that his new spouse will help him fulfill his life’s mission and respond properly to his life challenges.
At a wedding, or any other major event in a person’s life, we offer a most significant blessing. We wish the new couple success in fulfilling their individual tafkid, their special purpose in life.
When we wish someone mazal tov, we are wishing him that he does well in fulfilling his purpose in this world utilizing the new circumstances that he has been graced with. We bless newlyweds that they utilize their newfound marriage to grow together in fulfilling their divinely ordained role in life.
Earlier this summer, Camp Dora Golding was graced with a visit from the Philadelphia Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Shalom Kamenetsky. After warmly addressing the campers, each camper had the opportunity to individually shake the Rosh Yeshiva’s hand. At that time, quite a few campers asked for a blessing. The Rosh Yeshiva replied by asking them what they wanted a blessing for. Many of them had no idea what to reply. But the Rosh Yeshiva patiently insisted that they express what they want a blessing for, before he would bless them.
We can bless a person that he has added energy and resources. But one must think about what he wants added energy and resources for.
Traditionally, we bless a chosson and Kallah that they build a bayis ne’eman b’Yisroel, a trustworthy home within the Jewish People. Their new union is an opportunity for each of them to become greater people. That doesn’t mean it will be easy and convenient. But we bless them that it will be gratifying and internally fulfilling. That is the depth of the blessing we confer that they should have mazal tov.
This week our family celebrates the afruf of our oldest son, Shalom, in anticipation of his marriage next week to Aliza Frechter iy”H.
Our greatest hope and prayer is that Shalom and Aliza become each other’s emotional and psychological walls surrounding each other.
Indeed, mazal tov, and may they build a bayis ne’eman b’Yisroel.
Chodesh Tov & Good Chodesh
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum
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