Dear TEE community,

“Don’t be foolish!” is meant to be an obvious reprimand. But what’s wrong with being foolish or silly or even childish? It depends on the context of course, but too many of us adults lose or restrict our gaiety as we get older. Our Jewish tradition recognizes both the necessity and pleasure of playfulness in the observance of Purim. As we get ready for the joy of spring, the holiday lets us loosen up for the more profound freedom of Passover.

Many of us are familiar with the custom of masks and costumes on the holiday. Another traditional practice is to treat Purim as a “backwards” or “upside down” day. Students would take on the role of teachers and congregants would act as the rabbi, expounding “Purim Torah,” nonsensical interpretations making fun of standard commentary. It was also the one day in the year when cross gender dressing was encouraged.

For many contemporary Jews Purim has become a fraught holiday because of its association with the commandment to wipe out all memory of the Amalekites, biblical enemies of the Israelites. Rabbinic tradition then associated Amalek with all opponents of the Jews. In 1994 Baruch Goldstein took this to murderous lengths, killing 29 Palestinians at prayer and wounding 125 more. He subsequently became a hero to extremists, including Itamar Ben-Gvir, currently the Israeli Minister for National Security, who was instrumental in making Goldstein’s grave a settler shrine.

Last Shabbat, I attended services at London’s Westminster Synagogue, where I heard a lovely interpretation by Rabbi Benjamin Stanley of how we should think about Amalek. In Deuteronomy, the Amalekites prey on the most vulnerable members of the Israelite community, the young, weak, ill, and old who travel at the rear of the company. Rather than identifying the Amalekites with a particular people, we should see that quality of attacking the defenseless as what we are meant to eliminate.

While I can understand the reluctance of some to celebrate Purim, I think it essential, especially in these difficult times, to embrace the joy of play and parody, which are at the heart of the holiday’s traditions. In that spirit, our TEE community will be observing Purim with song, satire, and games meant to enliven us with laughter and fun. I hope you will consider reawakening your younger self to dress up in costume and join us for the festivities.

Rabbi Drorah Setel