Gut moed Please explain the difference of such concepts as luck, hatzlacha? joy and happiness in judaism and its difference in English.. what is this in judaism?

Shalom, Thank you for your question. You are correct that translating words from Hebrew into another language can often result in misunderstanding the original Jewish idea. Let’s examine one such example you raise. Hatzlacha – which is often translated as “luck”, eg “B’Hatzlacha” is often said to a person before they begin an endeavor, and is translated as “good luck!”. In truth the word means “success” – or in this context “may you have success”. “Luck” seems to imply an idea of chance – that is something that Jewish thought in general does not believe in. Rather, we do have a concept of “destiny” or “mazel”. This is an idea that perhaps external things, like when a person is born, etc, can have a determining effect. There is an argument as to whether the Jewish people are subject to this form of “mazel”. But, in any event, it is not a limiting factor, and a person through their actions can change their “mazel”. I hope this is of some help, Blessings.