Israel perfectly embodies the essence of 'happiness' - opinion

• Published date: 24 March 2024
• Author: DOUGLAS ALTABEF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Let's remember that this ranking was focused on 2023, one of the most difficult years in our history. From the dissension of judicial reform to the horrors of October 7, and the painful sacrifices and dislocations of the ensuing war, the idea of being happy was not at the top of the list of anyone that I know

Yet, the index's criteria are social support, income, health, freedom, generosity, and the absence of corruption. Some of these criteria lend themselves to objective comparison, while others leave much room for subjective interpretation.

As in the past, the leading countries are Scandinavian or Nordic countries, countries with significant social welfare nets and frankly, not much to be unhappy about. None of them are on the front lines facing implacable enemies.

As I have noted previously ("In birth and death, Israel is the happiest country in the world," The Jerusalem Post, March 23, 2018), the criteria do not include two indicia that reasonably could be viewed as the ultimate barometer of happiness: birth and suicide rates. If these were to be included, I have little doubt that Israel would top the list.

But even apart from this, it is positively mind boggling that Israel would rank where it does, or even be close to it. I would suggest that the mix of indicia, particularly social support, generosity and freedom, all mesh into the larger, if vaguer, concept of meaningfulness.

Proudly, when it comes to meaningfulness, Israel is indeed likely to be a chart topper. Meaningfulness has little to do with income, though with privation it is very difficult to look beyond the need to provide fundamental necessities for oneself and one's family.

Meaningfulness is what one derives from the experience of living. There was much anger during the months of the judicial reform controversy, but such anger gave voice and mission to so many on both sides of the issue.

The nightmare of October 7 was an existential slap in the face, reminding us of the tenuousness of our situation here. Tenuousness need not be the antithesis of happiness, especially when it leads to the outpourings of selfless service by our soldiers and reservists, and the myriad gestures of support for them from those of us on the home front.

The great pain caused by the seizing of hostages and the loss of life of soldiers has energized us to do something about them. Having the hostages return and assuring that our soldiers' sacrifices will not be in vain are purposeful missions, not depressions.

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