Purim: A Lesson in Moderation

Purim is our most celebratory holiday of the year.  It’s a chance to let go and to have a little bit of fun.  We dress up in costume, we watch silly Purim shpiels, and most importantly, we drink a lot!  In Megillah 7b of the Talmud, we learn: A person should drink enough alcohol on Purim that he’s unable to distinguish between cursed is Haman and blessed is Mordecai.  Passover provides us with a tangible way to mark our consumption, four glasses of wine.  Yet, on Purim, we aren’t told how much to drink, except that we shouldn’t be able to tell the difference between Haman, our enemy, and Mordecai, our hero.  That is a lot of alcohol, a lot of drinking.  Unfortunately, that much consumption can lead to a horrible tragedy.

Directly following this requirement to pursue drunkenness is a story about a drunken encounter:  Rabba and Rabbi Zeira celebrated Purim together and they became so intoxicated to the point that Rabba arose and slaughtered Rabbi Zeira.  The next day when Rabba became sober, he realized what he had done.  Rabba asked God for mercy and revived Rabbi Zeira.  The next year, Rabba said to Rabbi Zeira: Come, lets celebrate Purim together.  Rabbi Zeira replied: Miracles do not happen each and every hour!

 Here’s a story about two rabbis who followed the obligation to drink heavily.  Yet, their intoxication led to a dire outcome.  Rabba in his zest actually slaughters and kills Rabbi Zeira.  It was only because of God’s mercy and a miracle that Rabbi Zeira’s life was saved.  Rabbi Zeira teaches us a valuable lesson: Miracles do not happen each and every hour!  This story is a cautionary tale about excessive drinking.  Just because a miracle occurred in the past, doesn’t mean we will be saved in future encounters.

We of course want and need to celebrate!  With our busy lives and the stress that fills our work, home life, and the world around us, we need time to relax and let loose.  However, we are reminded of the dangers of excessive drinking and excessive behavior.  Our health is paramount and nothing matters more.  In our celebrating, moderation is key.  Let’s have fun, but let’s be safe.

Bringing Light to the World

The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting darker, and it’s getting much, much too cold outside!  These dark days of December can sometimes feel just a bit discouraging and depressing.  We miss the sunshine, the warmth, and the long days.  Just when we’re feeling the most blue, Chanukah arrives: latkes, dreidels, presents, celebration, and light!

Think back to the Hanukkah story:  The Syrian Greeks attempted to destroy our way of life.  Our ancestors weren’t allowed to study Torah, celebrate Jewish holidays, or gather together as a people.  They were asked to bow down to idols, to forego their Jewish responsibilities.  Yet, they didn’t stand down.  They stood up for their values and beliefs.  They fought valiantly with their words and their fists.  After overcoming their enemy, they entered the Temple in Jerusalem and kindled the menorah, bringing light to their world.

That is our responsibility today.  Our world can sometimes feel darkened, filled with hate and anger.  Often at this time of year, we want to curl up into a ball and ignore all of the challenges that surround us.  Yet, we can’t be blind to our reality.  As a Jew, our responsibility is to bring light to the world.  To become a beacon of kindness, compassion, justice, and love.  It’s difficult to make change, yet those Hanukkah candles remind us that light overcomes darkness, that love overcomes hate. 

May this be a joyous and celebratory Hanukkah for us all.  May the light of the menorah give us strength, dedication, and a sense of hope for the future.  During these darkest days, may the light of the Hanukkah candles give us strength to transform our world into a place of hope and peace for all humanity.

Giving Thanks

Blessed are You Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, 

who gives strength to the weary.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe,

who removes sleep from the eyes, slumber from the eyelids.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, 

who has made me free.

The words above are three blessings located in the middle of a morning prayer entitled Nisim b’Chol Yom (our daily miracles).  Hundreds of years ago, these blessings were recited as a person woke up and began to prepare for the day.  Our ancestors recited a blessing when they opened their eyes, when they took their first step, and when they put on their clothes.  Over time, these prayers became a fixture in the early part of the morning service.  The three blessings above are located amongst a dozen others which are recited as a pseudo-mantra.  The purpose of these morning blessings is simple: to thank the Holy One for all of the miracles in our lives. 

As we approach this season of Thanksgiving, it seems appropriate to reflect upon the bounty that surround us.  Many of us will gather in a few days around our holiday tables to carve the turkey, eat some pumpkin pie, and gobble down the cranberry sauce!  As we gather for Thanksgiving, it’s a perfect opportunity before the food is served to express our gratitude for all our blessings, whether it’s thanking our family or the Holy One for all of their support and help.

We know how challenging it can be to pause in our day and express gratitude for all of the many blessings of daily living: the miracle of the senses, nourishment, companionship, our bodies, and nature.  The morning blessings serve to “wake us up,” reminding us to stop our daily routine and provide thanks for all of the blessings that surround us.  In this Thanksgiving season, may we find a moment during our days (either when we wake up or when we prepare for bedtime) to reflect upon all of the many blessings in our lives.  May we find the time to thank our loved ones and the Holy One for all of their support and love.  Happy Thanksgiving!