Sadness is a central part of the human experience. Biblical narratives include sadness as motivating biblical figures — even God. Halakhic texts limit when it is acceptable to be sad and dictate when one must be. Other texts include psychological insights, self-help advice, and prayers and meditations for help to overcome the pain.
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Historical SadnessMISHNAH
Historical Sadness
MISHNAH
The calendar days of the Ninth of Av and the 17th of Tammuz are the days on which Jews commemorate a number of historical calamities. The Mishnah, the first codification of Jewish law, from the early third-century land of Israel, recounts each of those historical tragedies and instructs that from the beginning of the month of Av, one diminishes their joy.
Sad Days SECOND TEMPLE
Sad Days
SECOND TEMPLE
While in the book of Jeremiah, God promises to turn our sorrow into joy, historically, there were many days on which Jews fasted to commemorate many sad historical events. Megillat Ta'anit, a first-century list of the days on which public fasting was prohibited, also lists many days on which sad events befell the Jewish people.
Transforming Darkness into JoyCHASIDUT
Transforming Darkness into Joy
CHASIDUT
Can sadness and worry be transformed into joy? Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, the late 18th-century Chasidic rebbe, thought so.
The Roots of SadnessJEWISH THOUGHT
The Roots of Sadness
JEWISH THOUGHT
What causes some people's sadness? Rabbi Abraham Isaac HaKohen Kook, an early 20th-century religious Zionist leader, proposes an answer in his ethical work, Musar Avikha.
What is Sadness? MUSAR
What is Sadness?
MUSAR
What is the difference between sadness and anxiety? 11th-century poet and philosopher Solomon Ibn Gabirol, explains this distinction.
A PleaCHASIDUT
A Plea
CHASIDUT
Perhaps accepting one's emotional state is a step towards moving past it. In Rabbi Nathan of Breslov's Likkutei Tefillot, he records prayers of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, including this one that calls for divine acknowledgement of the depths of the petitioner's sadness.