Is It OK To Make Merry This Purim?

Anti-Semitism is on the rise at home; Israeli society is unraveling. But our tradition leans toward the light.

Ready to party? Balancing moments of sadness and joy is part of the rhythm of our lives.

The current month of Adar on the Jewish calendar is associated with simcha, and Purim, the most exuberant, high-spirited and unrestrained of our holidays, is just around the corner (the evening of March 6, and all day March 7). But I’m not feeling very frisky these days. And I suspect you’re not in the mood for much frivolity either.

After all, Israel is facing the most serious domestic crisis in the state’s history. It’s painful to follow the news reports each day, from massive protests against a feared weakening of democracy to escalating violence between Jews and Arabs in the West Bank. We feel like we’re witnessing the vital, dynamic society we love unraveling in front of our eyes.

The tragic murder of young, innocent Israelis followed by groups of radical Jewish settlers seeking revenge by violently attacking an Arab village drives us to despair. And to watch a video of Jewish attackers pausing to daven Ma’ariv (the evening prayer) while village homes burn, is the very definition of Chilul Ha’Shem, the desecration of God’s name.

In Eastern Europe, Vladimir Putin’s brutal war against Ukraine grinds on. Now in its second year, not only are there no prospects for the war to end, but with Iran (on the brink of going nuclear) and China siding with Russia, we could envision the makings of World War III.

At home, anti-Semitism is not only increasing dramatically but becoming normative in our toxic society. A new study by the AJC finds that 41 percent of American Jews felt less secure in their status last fall than they did a year earlier. That’s not surprising, with former President Trump dining with well-known anti-Semites and social media filled with hate-filled sentiments.

I could go on, but you get the point. 

So the question is whether it is inappropriate – unseemly, even – to celebrate Purim this year with noise makers, music, feasting, Purim spiels, laughter and all the other joyful qualities associated with the holiday? Maybe the answer can be found in another question: “What Purim in our history were Jews not experiencing serious troubles, persecution and worse?”

 The Book of Esther, the source of the holiday, relates how the Jews of Persia, facing annihilation, were saved – and triumphed over their enemies. In celebrating that miraculous turn of events each year over the centuries, the Jewish people are expressing faith and hope in the future even in moments of darkness.

Many today are pessimistic about a world that seems less connected and more dangerous than recent decades.  Mel Brooks’ song, “Hope For The Best, Expect The Worst,” resonates with us. But our tradition goes deeper. Each morning we begin our prayers with the words of King David: “At night there may be weeping, but in the morning there is joy” (Psalm 50). 

And the Torah instructs: “Choose life.” 

As a Jewish people, we have exhibited remarkable, if not unique, resilience in not only surviving over thousands of years but in striving to compartmentalize and balance the moments of sadness and joy that are part of the rhythm of our lives. One dramatic example is the tradition in Israel on the last day of Sukkot to recite Yizkor, the prayer for departed loved ones, and then almost immediately begin the joyful celebration of Simchat Torah. That spirit has carried over to modern times when Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s poignantly observed Memorial Day for its fallen soldiers, leads directly into Yom Ha’atzmaut, the jubilant day marking Israeli Independence.

One takeaway here, I believe, is that to let sadness overwhelm us and negate times set aside for celebration is to admit defeat. 

May we be blessed to celebrate Purim with joy for many years to come.

With that in mind, in the coming days I plan to continue a personal tradition, going back to 1975, and offer in this space a Purim Spoof of the news – with the hope that it will bring more smiles than groans, or worse.