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 March 4, 2010
Shalom,
The Jewish holiday of Purim, which took place earlier this week, has always been one of my favorites. I love watching the kids dress up in costume and the entire city of Jerusalem transform into a holy party. The main mitzvahs (commandments) of the day are to be in a state of complete happiness, hear the reading of the biblical book of Esther, and give to the needy.
During the Jewish month of Adar (the month leading up to Purim) everywhere you walk in Jerusalem there is loud music playing on the street, public dancing and singing, and charity being distributed. I never understood why we are commanded to be happy on Purim, because happiness has always come naturally to me on this holiday! Yet, this year a sobering personal experience made me realize how hard it can be to stay happy, and how, even during hard times, we must continue to strive to fulfill God’s commandments.
I got up early on Sunday morning very excited to begin my preparations for the 125 guests I was expecting at our Purim meal. Yet when my 11-month-old baby woke up screaming, my excitement faded. Picking him up and feeling his forehead, it was clear that he was very sick and needed a doctor immediately. I ran with him to the doctor’s office where he was diagnosed with pneumonia and prescribed a strong antibiotic.
Returning home through Jerusalem streets ringing with songs and celebrations in anticipation of Purim, it was impossible to get in the spirit of the upcoming holiday. As I kissed my child and prayed for his recovery I was overwhelmed with concern for his health.
When I got home, I gave my sweet son his medicine, put him to bed, and began cooking to prepare for our Purim celebration. But eventually I broke down crying. It was all too much for me. How could I possibly celebrate when I was so worried about my son?
Then my three-year-old daughter came innocently dancing into the kitchen. She took one look at my red puffy eyes and hugged me. "Mommy," she lovingly whispered, "you shouldn't cry. God commanded us to be happy today!" Her words made me stop. It was clear she was right. The commandment to be happy on Purim was applicable during good times and bad. If we were only supposed to be happy when things were going right, the commandment wouldn’t be needed.
This, I thought to myself, was my test. I realized that through this stressful situation I had been given the amazing opportunity of fulfilling the mitzvah of "celebrating Purim with happiness." While no less concerned about my son and no less committed to caring for him through his sickness, I could still make a decision to be happy for the sake of the mitzvah and to conform to God's will.
Wiping the tears away from my eyes, I told my daughter to turn on the music very loud. Together we cooked for our guests while dancing, singing, laughing, and praying. I forced myself to be happy and came to the life-changing realization that fulfilling God's will really does make you feel better!
As I look back on our holiday, my heart fills with gratitude. I am grateful that my son is feeling better, that my guests enjoyed themselves, and that my precious daughter, through her simple words, was able to teach me the true meaning of Purim. I am also grateful to God for this amazing holiday. My struggle for happiness the day before Purim shed light on an ultimate truth:
No matter how challenging it is sometimes to fulfill God's commandments, it is always worth doing, since he sent them to us to enhance our lives, and to better the world.
With blessings from Jerusalem,
Yael
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