News from Kol Ami

on Sunday, 04 March 2012

Joey's Mum: So, Joey, what did you learn in Religious School today
Joey: Well, Mum, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.
Joey's Mum: Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you 
Joey: Well, no, Mum. But if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!
 

One of the great contributions that the Jewish people have made to society is our humour. It is, in part, an escape from the world - perhaps a response to our sometimes-tragic history. But it is also a confrontation with the world - a way of looking at society with an eye that is thoughtful, critical and mildly absurd all at the same time. We have always believed that God must have a sense of humour. Why else would the age of Bar Mitzvah - when you chant Torah in front of everyone you know - be the same as the age of voice cracking?!
 
On the whole, Jewish tradition teaches us to take life very seriously. It empowers and commands us to make the world a better place, to cause God to dwell among us, and to be a "kingdom of priests and a holy people." These are serious obligations, especially in serious times such as the present. But at the same time, Judaism commands us to enjoy life - to create community through fellowship, music, and good food, and to approach the world with a sense of humour. Even the Bible has comedic moments. One of the better known is the farce of Balaam, a prophet who is hired to curse the Israelites but fails because his talking donkey refuses to walk up a hill. (There is definitely a Shrek reference to be made in there somewhere!)
 
The best known example of Jewish comedy, however, is the Megillah - the story of Esther and Mordecai saving the Jewish people from certain destruction through bravery, seduction, a little bit of manipulation, and a lot of luck. It is, interestingly, the only book in the Bible that does not mention God. But the Rabbis argue that God is present, hidden in the actions of the story's heroes. In fact, the name Esther means "hidden" in Hebrew.
 
We read the book of Esther every year on Purim because it reminds us that sometimes heroism comes from unexpected places, and that it is good to be able to laugh at ourselves. We need Purim: We need to look the world in the eye and laugh. We need a reminder that God is always present... even when God seems to be hidden, and even when God seems to be joking.
Please join us for this year's "Grease" Purim celebration on Wednesday, March 7 at 6:00 pm. Food, fun, and the opportunity to see your friends - and your rabbi - making fools of themselves! More details
 
Bitzchok - With Laughter,

Rabbi Micah