Rabbi's Messages

on Tuesday, 03 March 2015.

Last month, my family and I traveled to my home town of New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. As a New Orleanian, it was far from my first Mardi Gras, but it was my first time sharing it with my children. And I would call it a smashing success! The parades, the floats, the beads and doubloons, the masks and costumes. What's not to love?!

There is something about this time of year that makes us want to let loose and have a good time. Maybe it's the continuing snow and cold. Maybe it's the hope of Spring coming soon. And while Mardi Gras (like Montreal's Carnival) has its origins in the Catholic Church, the Jewish tradition of Purim grew up right alongside it.

Purim is, of course, the story of Mordecai and Esther defeating the evil Haman to save the Jews. It is a liberation story, a reminder that God works through the actions of human beings, and that God's presence can be felt in the world in our relationships and our TikkunOlam. It is also, by the far, the SILLIEST holiday we have.

On Purim, we wear masks. On Purim, we shout over Haman's name and shake noise makers and jump on bubble wrap. On Purim, we come together not only to celebrate, but to have FUN. We need that during this time of year. We need it all the time.

Often our Judaism is serious and solemn. That's not a bad thing: we need to take religion seriously. We need to study and learn, and make important choices, and work hard to make the world a better place. But we also need to enjoy being together – this month and every month. May this month of Adar remind us to imbue our Judaism with joy, wherever and whenever we come together as a community.

L'shalom,
Rabbi Micah Streiffer