This article is sponsored anonymously in the zechus that they will do well on an upcoming test. To sponsor a Shiur, Dvar Torah, Q&A or an event please email us at Nitzotzos@gmail.com Dear Nitzotzos Community, A gutten Chodesh Av. Chazal say, when Av comes in we should minimize our simcha. But how does a Jew diminish simcha? How can we? We are privileged to have a unique mission in this world. We delight in the opportunity to serve Him. Eskimos have many words for snow. We create nuanced language for the things we know. The Torah has ten different words for happiness. Joy is what we know. We are familiar with its every nuance. We are told that unimaginable curses will fall upon the person who serves Hashem without joy. This is not simply because God demands that we serve Him with joy. It is because it is unnatural for us to serve him without joy. Without joy ours is a marriage of going through the motions. Lifeless. Functional but lacking intimacy. We don't want to be in a marriage like that. God doesn't want to be in a marriage like that. And now it seems we are being told to diminish the simcha we have in serving God?!? Interestingly we continue to say Hallel on Rosh Chodesh Av. We would perhaps expect a dispensation from the joyous occasion of singing Hallel. It runs counter to the dictum of diminishing our simcha in this month. How do we resolve this conflict? It is said that the definition of emotional maturity is the capability of holding two conflicting emotions at once
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