At the beginning of the pandemic, I wrote about some of the silver linings of this challenging time: more time at home, less rushing from place to place, less time in our cars, and a deeper appreciation of the gift we so often take for granted: our health.
Here’s another blessing of this time that I’ve discovered: הסתפקות (histapkut), equanimity or satisfaction. In the Jewish mystical tradition, הסתפקות (histapkut) is the quality of being satisfied with what you have at that moment. It’s the calm that comes with the radical acceptance of the quality of our lives no matter what difficulties we might be encountering.
I find it in the quiet moments with family that have become so much more present in my daily life. It’s the knowledge of what truly matters that these months have reminded us of: if we have our health, enough to eat, and a roof over our heads, מספיק לנו (maspik lanu) — it’s enough for us.
As we prepare for Shabbat, let us count our many blessings and experience the deep sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing that just by being alive, we have been given more than enough.
— Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
