Living in a Happy World - Part II

In the first article, we asked: Why do we suffer so much and can we ever be truly happy? We will now explore a powerful and unfamiliar concept that serves as a gateway into the world of happiness. This is only the entrance. To actually live in the world of happiness requires inner work and sustained effort.

Every tool has two types of use:

1. How it can be used

2. How it should be used

Consider a camera as an example. Technically, you can use it to hammer nails into the wall, or to prop a door open. Clearly however, that’s not how it’s designed to be used. For optimal use, we consult the manufacturer's instructions and use it as intended.

In a similar way, G-d gave us a “user manual” for life. As it says in Genesis 2:15: “And G-d placed man in the Garden of Eden, to work it and to guard it.”

That verse isn't just about gardening, but serves as a blueprint. G-d placed man in the world, gave him life, and handed him an instruction manual: the Torah. It teaches us how to live well, how to care for our physical body, how to relate to others, how to build a marriage, and how to connect to G-d.

The problem is that we left Eden, and forgot the instruction manual.

Instead of reading the directions, we assume we already “know how to live.” We go about our day, focused on surviving, until we can just "get home in one piece."

Free Will vs. Emotional Hijack

Humans are the only creatures with intellect and free will. We were created to choose between good and bad using reason.

However, while we think we act based on logic, we are often ruled by our desires- jealousy, craving, and the pursuit of status. Our intellect becomes a servant of the heart’s impulses, offering polished, rational arguments to justify decisions already made emotionally.

The Lion and the Fox: A Parable

Imagine a wise, powerful lion- the king of the jungle.

One day, he’s ravenous. As he prowls through the forest, he spots a fox. Ready to pounce, the fox quickly bows down and pleads:
“Your Majesty, what could you possibly gain from eating my scrawny bones? There’s a fat Jew at the edge of the forest, deep in prayer. He will satisfy you for days!”

The lion hesitates. “But I’m afraid of his prayers. What if G-d punishes me?”

“No need to worry,” replies the fox. “Doesn’t the Torah say G-d punishes the children for the sins of the fathers? It’s your grandson who’ll be punished, not you! Enjoy your meal while you can!”

The lion is convinced. But on the way to the prey, he falls into a deep pit and can’t escape. The fox peers down at him, grinning.

“You lied to me!” roars the lion. “You said my grandson would be punished, not me!”

“Oh no,” says the fox. “This isn’t your punishment, it’s your grandfather’s. He once ate a Jew too. Now you’re paying the price.”

“That’s absurd!” protests the lion. “How is that fair?!”

“Well,” replies the fox, “why didn’t you ask that before you acted on your desire? Why didn’t you question then whether your grandson deserved to suffer for your choices?”

The Core Insight

Why didn’t the lion think it through beforehand?

When desire is burning, reason vanishes. Only when the craving fades, when it’s too late, that logic returns, and with it, regret.

This is the root of so much human suffering- frustration, shame, and brokenness. When we understand how the mind and heart interact, we can shift the balance back in our favor.

The Illusion of Logic

When we want something, especially out of desire, ego, or jealousy, we often deceive ourselves into believing it's right. Our intellect justifies it, dressing it up with rational-sounding arguments.

This is similar to the story of the child who wins an archery contest by shooting arrows into trees and then drawing a target around each one.

We act based on emotion (fire the arrow), and then use logic (draw the target) to make it appear as if we made the right choice.

What’s the Solution?

We must reclaim our intellect from the grip of desire. We must train ourselves to recognize when the heart is misleading the head, and refuse to rationalize what our conscience knows is wrong.

The Torah is not just a religious text but is the user guide to human happiness. If we define good and bad by our own feelings and what pleases or flatters us, we’ll end up lost, bitter, and broken. If however we allow G-d's definitions to guide us, we’ll eventually find the path to lasting peace and purpose.

This article (Parts 1 & 2) was inspired by the writings of ​Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler zt”l (Michtav Me’Eliyahu), Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch zt”l, Rabbi Yerucham Levovitz of Mir zt”l, Rabbi Yosef Ze’ev Lipovitz (Nachalat Yosef on the Torah), and other Torah and Mussar giants

Translated and adapted from the original Hebrew by Rabbi Gideon Shahar, Rosh Yeshiva at Netivot Olam for Baalei Teshuva, Bnei Brak