“When one enters Adar, one increases rejoicing.” (Talmud, Ta’anit 29a)
This Shabbat, we enter the month of Adar, the month in which we celebrate Purim. Purim is a topsy-turvy celebration. Esther’s story is filled with irony and reversal. Nothing is as it appears. Everything is hidden away, waiting to be revealed. We come to this Purim as we also approach the end of the first year of this pandemic. Indeed, it seems we are living out the topsy-turvy world of Purim. Everything seems to have been turned upside down in this last year. And in the face of it all, what does the story of Purim teach us? Be happy! Celebrate! Treat yourself with kindness. Treat others with kindness. Even in the midst of all of this, there are blessings to be found, sweetness to be savored, gratitude to be expressed.
And indeed, we are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. It has been a long, crazy tunnel, to be sure. But we can see some light indicating that we are approaching the end.
That, it seems, increases our need for rejoicing and celebration. We deserve a bit of sweetness and joy. We deserve some laughter, a bit of frivolity, and a treat. So, I hope you will join us on Friday, February 26, 6:30p for our Purim celebration. And, the best way to enjoy our Purim festivities is with some Purim treats. We have an excellent “Mishla-och Manot” Purim box filled with special treats to enjoy while you take in some of the topsy-turvy silliness of your University Synagogue staff and clergy. Increase your Purim joy by ordering your box today, then sit back, enjoy some Hamantaschen as we cheer and boo and engage in some much-deserved silliness.
Click here to watch April, ECLC Director, explore all the goodies in our Mishlo-ach Manot.
