יום ב Date: 4 Sivan, 5774 (6/2/14) – RoshHashana#25 {Eliezer}

Ever-the-Optimist

[25a top] Mishna: R’ Akiva saw that R’ Yehoshua was distressed about following R’ Gamliel’s opinion, so he gave him an answer [about why he should be comfortable relying on the specific decree] in order to placate him.
R’ Rosner: R’ Akiva throughout Gemarah is ever the optimist and cheering people up. He is the one laughing while the other Rabbis cry at the wolf in the ruins of the Beis Hamikdash [end of GM’ Makos], and he is the one who started Torah teachings anew after all his students were killed.

E’s Lesson: We have a Mitzvah of “עבדו את ה’ בשמחה” (serving G-d with joy). As long as we know that we are doing what Hashem wants, we should be infused with ecstasy. Things may be hard and times may be tough, but we must learn from R’ Akiva to always view the glass half-full, be thankful for what we do have, and look to the future with hope and faith.