Purim 2020
The Talmud, the classic repository of Jewish teachings from the first five centuries of the Common Era, tells the following story (Taanit 22a, paraphrased):
Rabbi Broka is in the market in a town called Bei Lefet, where Elijah the Prophet used to spend time with him frequently. One day Rabbi Broka says to Elijah, "Is there anyone here who is assured a place in the world to come?" And Elijah says, "No." But then as they're walking along Elijah says, "Yes, that man over there - he's assured a place in the world to come." As the story progresses we find out that the man is a jailor who passes as a non-Jew in order to protect imprisoned Jews – a very obvious candidate for an assured place in the world to come. A little while later they're walking along some more and Elijah says, "Oh those two people also - they're assured a place in the world to come." So Rabbi Broka catches up to them and says, "Hello - may I ask what you do?" And they say, "We are comedians, jesters. We go around cheering up sad people."
Elsewhere the Talmud tells of the sage named Rabbah (Shabbat 30b) who before he would start his lesson, would share a joke, and the rabbis would all laugh, and then they’d start studying.
The ancient rabbis understood the value of laughter and being happy and even silly, and I think that appreciation underlies at least some of their enthusiasm for the holiday of Purim, which falls this year on March 10. Purim celebrates and is celebrated with the biblical book of Esther, which tells the farcical, burlesque story of a buffoonish king, an evil and impetuous villain, a pious Jew, and his devoted niece, Esther, who is ultimately able to save the Jews from the villain’s evil plot to have them all killed. Purim is celebrated around the world with parties, costumes, plays and reenactments, carnivals, and feasts.
Purim is once a year – it’s a moment, in the context of a serious and demanding religion and our serious and demanding lives, a moment of just relaxing and having a good time. Before we start our lessons with the sages, before we turn our attention to Passover and its attendant laws and customs, not to mention culinary preparations. It’s a moment before all that begins, to celebrate the jesters who sustain the world and are assured a place in the world to come.
Jenny R. Labendz, PhD
Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
I like the happy stories. They are a pleasant pause during this penitential season of Lent. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHappy Purim to our Jewish friends.
Thank you for this reflection. So needed in today's world. We must remember to smile and laugh even as the world appears to be falling apart around us.
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