Happiness

Osher is happiness in its fullest sense — not fleeting pleasure but deep, abiding contentment and well-being. The word shares a root with the biblical term 'ashrei' (happy is the one who...), which opens several Psalms, including the beloved Ashrei prayer recited three times daily in Jewish worship. 'Ashrei yoshvei veitecha' — Happy are those who dwell in Your house — defines happiness as being in God's presence. The pursuit of osher in Jewish thought differs markedly from modern consumer culture's version. The Mishnah asks 'Who is rich?' and answers: 'One who is happy with their portion' (Pirkei Avot 4:1). This teaching redefines happiness not as having more but as appreciating what one has. True osher comes from gratitude, meaningful relationships, purpose, and spiritual connection — a formula remarkably aligned with contemporary positive psychology research. In the Hebrew Bible, osher is frequently connected to righteous living. The opening of Psalms declares: 'Ashrei ha-ish' — Happy is the person who walks not in the counsel of the wicked. This suggests that osher is not random fortune but the natural consequence of living with integrity, kindness, and wisdom. Happiness and goodness are intertwined. Israel consistently ranks surprisingly high on global happiness indices, despite regional tensions and high costs of living. Researchers attribute this to strong family bonds, sense of community, sense of purpose, and the Israeli cultural norm of seizing joy in the present moment. The Hebrew emphasis on osher as a state cultivated through relationships and meaning, rather than accumulated through possessions, may help explain this resilience.