Less oy, More joy

I was privileged to be involved with organising the Avraham Fried concert this week, where nearly 2 000 people gathered for an evening of Jewish music, singing, and celebration. 

And what an evening it was. People were on their feet, singing, clapping, and dancing. The atmosphere was pure joy. 

Parshas Ki Savo speaks repeatedly about joy. When a farmer brings their first fruits, the Torah says, “You shall rejoice with all the good that Hashem your G-d has given you.” The farmer doesn’t simply enjoy their blessing privately. They bring it to Jerusalem, express their gratitude, and celebrate together with others. 

Later in the parsha, when describing the consequences of failing to serve Hashem properly, the Torah says, “Because you did not serve Hashem your G-d with joy and a glad heart, when you had an abundance of everything.” 

Why is joy so important? Can we really be held accountable for whether we are happy? 

The Torah is telling us that joy is not just a reaction to what happens to us. It is also a way of responding to what happens to us. We might think, “When life is lekker, I’ll be happy. When everyone is healthy, finances are comfortable, problems are sorted, and everything falls into place, then I’ll have reason to rejoice.” But the Torah doesn’t ask us only to recognise our blessings. It asks us to rejoice in them. 

And perhaps that is why song is so deeply woven into Jewish life. 

There is a difference between feeling something and giving it expression. We can feel grateful without saying a word. But when gratitude becomes song, something changes. What is inside us comes out, filling our environment, and drawing others in. 

We don’t always sing because we are happy. Sometimes, we become happy because we sing. A nigun (melody) can lift someone who arrived feeling low. A familiar tune can bridge generations. And when a room full of Jews sings together, we are reminded that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. 

That is what we all experienced at the Avraham Fried concert. People from different backgrounds and generations singing and experiencing the powerful joy of being Jewish together. 

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, this is a message worth carrying into the new year. 

While we can’t control everything that happens in the coming year, we can choose not to let the “oy” drown out the joy. 

But we don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect before appreciating and celebrating the abundant blessings already in our lives. 

Our community is especially looking forward to celebrating the high holy days together as we return to our newly renovated Sandton Central Shul premises. And with the incredible acoustics, it would be a shame not to put them to good use! 

There is something special about a community coming together to daven, to sing, and to celebrate. So if you’re looking for a warm and welcoming place to experience the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe), you are most welcome to join us. 

Here’s to a year of less oy, more joy, and plenty of reasons to sing.