“When the Hebrew Month of Av enters, Decrease Joy”

- Talmud Ta’anit 26b

With an introductory reading of this, the meaning would be  saying that due to the many horrific tragedies that befell the Jewish people throughout this month, we therefore decrease our joy.

However, everything in Torah and Judaism is all about going deeper and uncovering the hidden meaning within everything.

“For a Jewish person must always look for the inner wisdom in everything.”

- Rebbe Nachman of Breslov

Torah Aleph in Likutey Mohoran

This statement of the Talmud is actually a secret to living with joy: When you decrease…joy! When the month of Av enters, the inner work that we have to do is decrease and focus – and when we do that: joy. This is the secret of “decrease joy“.

In Judaism, this month has the tradition of fasting, not eating meat and wine during the 9 days leading up to T’sha B’av and simplifying our lives by focusing on what really makes us happy.

During this time of destruction – the secret to rebuilding is not merely focusing on history, but rather being silent with what we have and listening to what we need to “decrease” in our lives. By focusing on that, joy will well up within us – for like children we are in a constant state of joy. If we don’t feel that, then our blocks need to be decreased.