I do not cry often.
This week, I found myself suddenly overcome by all the emotions of everything I have experienced since October 7th and the tears streamed down my cheeks.
While I was attending the CCAR conference a few days ago (the Reform rabbis conference), I was sitting in a small group session and everything hit me at once: months of having my beloved Israel being caught up in a brutal war that it did not ask for, months of dealing with rising antisemitism here at home, months of being personally targeted online by local pro-Palestinian activists and living in fear for my own safety. I was sitting next to Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, the rabbi formerly from Colleyville, Texas who was held hostage with other congregants by a gunman on a Shabbat morning and after many long hours, escaped. It was extremely powerful to be sharing that moment in Rabbi Cytron-Walker’s presence.
Later that same day, we listened as 20 of our Israeli Reform colleagues shared their stories, their hopes, their fears, their dreams, as well as their understanding of their reality. We held them in our hearts, our minds, our arms.
This CCAR conference was not maudlin, draining, or too heavy. While we covered important, serious, and timely topics, we found our strength in gathering together joyfully, learning, praying, singing, laughing, celebrating our ability to be in community. We affirmed life by our expressions of joy that refreshed and lifted up my spirit and the spirits of all those present.
The Reform Rabbis happened to meet at the beginning of the Hebrew month of II Adar – the month in which Purim takes place. The Talmud says: “mi-sheh-nich-nas Adar, marbin, b’simcha – when Adar arrives, we increase joy.” (B. Talmud, Ta’anit 29a). At our conference we asked: how does one celebrate joy, merrymaking, and joking, especially in the midst of a war, violence, and terror? How can we celebrate when antisemitism is rising, and our mood seems somber? We found the answers in our gathering and embedded in the wisdom of our Jewish teaching.
Jewish tradition teaches that the best response to difficulty, trauma, and fear is to affirm life in the most joyous manner possible. (If you watch Israeli TV, you would have seen Israeli comedians making fun of Hamas and world press right from the beginning of the war). Precisely when threats are so serious, we refuse to be serious. In our refusal, we are doing something very serious indeed: we are denying our enemies a victory and declaring that nothing they do can intimidate us. What is the single most effective antidote to fear? Joy in life itself.
We invite you to help us increase our joy at TBS with our multitude of Purim celebrations. Purim is that fun, silly, backwards festival where we “let loose” and show good humor. Adar reminds us that at times, laughter is the best medicine for lifting up our hearts. Adar reminds us that being silly and having fun is not just for the youth – but for people of all ages.
Of course, Purim has its serious side as well. There are four specific mitzvot, commandments associated with Purim:
• Sending Mishloach Manot to family and friends (literally, portions of food/gifts)
• Hearing Megilat Esther (the Book of Esther)
• Giving tzedakah (charity) to those in need
• Sharing in a festive meal
At Temple Beth Sholom, we are celebrating with joy and will enable you to participate in all four mitzvot. Please see below for more information.
My blessing for II Adar: may we find many ways to increase joy each and every day of this month and all the months of the year ahead.
