If you’re Jewish, the phrase much nachas is something you are most probably familiar with.  (See our Rosh Hashanah Happy New Year post.)  For my goy, nachas is the Yiddish word meaning blessings or joy said in times of joy and sadness.  At a funeral perhaps May you have much Nachas from here on out. At a wedding Continued Nachas. It goes on and on.  One might think that wishing this upon people in times of good and bad is a sign of the optimism of our people.  I’d argue the opposite.  If we are not in the worst situation, we are expecting the worst to come.  But the good news?  We’re always hoping for the best.

“I had an incredibly pleasant childhood. I have a great relationship with my parents. But when something bad happens to me, I’m not somebody who thinks, ‘What the hell? This isn’t fair!’  I’m more like, Yep, that seems about right.’” - Jewish Actor Seth Rogen

This inherent cynicism is widespread among Jews.  Probably not something you’d think I would “love about being Jewish,” but indeed it is.  Because this is where the money is.  This is where the funny is.  This is what my people have thrived and survived on for generations.  We are prepared.

So when things are tough, and you think that they can’t be better (and if you’re Jewish, you will think they cannot get better), the good news is that you are on the ready.  We knew it was bound to happen, so nobody’s shocked, and we are always praying for much nacahs to come.  Although, it probably wont last long.