And believe it or not, the Book of Ecclesiastes – or Kohelet as it's known in Hebrew – grapples with this too.

Specifically, Ecclesiastes 5:18 states: “Also any man to whom God has given wealth and property, and granted him control to eat from it, and to bear his portion, and to rejoice in his toil, this is a gift of God.” Seems straightforward enough. A blessing from above, plain and simple. But, as is often the case with ancient texts, there’s more beneath the surface.

The Midrash, specifically Kohelet Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on Ecclesiastes, digs deeper. The verse isn’t just about having stuff. It's about something much more profound. It’s about the ability to truly enjoy what you have.

Rabbi Pinḥas, whose wisdom is recorded in Kohelet Rabbah, throws a fascinating curveball into the mix. He suggests that this isn’t a universal perk. Not everyone gets this "enjoyment" attribute automatically. Instead, Rabbi Pinḥas says, "This attribute is not in effect for all people, but rather for one whom the Holy One blessed be He desires.” for a second. It's not just about acquiring "wealth and property." It's about being granted the capacity, the inner permission, to actually partake in it, to savor it, to rejoice in the fruits of your labor.

Why is this so important? Because how many times have we seen (or even experienced ourselves!) having all the outward trappings of success, but feeling empty, unfulfilled, or even guilty about enjoying them? We might have the big house, the fancy car, the corner office, but are we truly present, truly grateful, truly able to derive joy from these things?

The Midrash suggests that this ability to rejoice isn't a given. It's a divine gift, a special blessing bestowed upon those whom God chooses. It’s the siyata d’Shmaya, the help from heaven, that allows us to not only acquire, but to appreciate.

So, what does this mean for us? Does it mean we should just sit back and wait to be "chosen" for joy? I don’t think so. Instead, it's an invitation to cultivate a mindset of gratitude, to be mindful of the blessings in our lives, big and small. To actively seek out the joy in our work, in our relationships, in the simple things. Maybe, just maybe, by striving to appreciate what we have, we open ourselves up to receive that divine gift of true, unadulterated joy.