AMIT and the Definition Of simcha

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE DESCRIBES “the pursuit of happiness” as an “inalienable right”. Our Torah, however, describes the experience of happiness as an obligation:“V’samachta b’chagecha…v’hayita ach sameach” — “And you shall rejoice on your holiday, and you should only be happy.” Devarim 16:14,15. The formulation of this mitzvah is unusual, since Jewish law typically legislates concrete deeds and behaviors: what we eat, how we speak, how we do business. All these are definable actions, and in order to fulfill our obligations, we simply do, or refrain from doing, the act that is described: I only eat food that is kosher, I don’t gossip, I pay all of my taxes. With the requirement to be happy, however, Halacha is legislating an emotion, which by definition is subjective and unpredictable. Ask a dozen people what makes them happy and chances are you will get a dozen different answers. How are we supposed to fulfill this obligation to rejoice when it is such a personal experience? Does the philosophy of Judaism define for us what it means to be happy? How we can concretize the fulfillment of this mitzvah?