A Personal Laughter Story: My First Purim
When was the last time you had a really good laugh? Not just a giggle, but a full-on side-splitting, tear-enducing, I-can-barely-chatch-my-breath, belly laugh. Has it been a while? The last time I laughed that hard, I was at a reading of the Megillah while celebrating Purim. Shortly after the reading began, a man dressed as the evil Haman appeared, and all of the children, armed with rolls of toilet paper, attacked the villain. Taking him to the ground, where he was brutally TP’d. As this scene played out, I laughed more than I had in years. It was one of the most euphoric experiences of my life, but laughter is much more than just something that makes us feel good; in the proper context, it is downright spiritual. According to Jewish wisdom, laughter is not only healing but a means to connect with the divine, create bonds within our communities, and express our faith.
Laughter and Faith
Where do laughter and faith intersect? First and foremost, laughter is a biblical concept. The name Isaac, belonging to one of the Torah’s beloved patriarchs, means “he will laugh.” This name reflects the reaction of his parents, Abraham and Sarah, when they learned they were having a child in their old age. Astonished by the miracle, the two were taken aback and somewhat in disbelief at the unlikely news that they were going to be parents. Laughter was their divine expression of overwhelming joy and a little shock. Laughter is also a sacred expression of gratitude, as we see in Psalm 126:2:
Our mouths shall be filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then shall they say among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
I’ve had so many prayers answered that have left me feeling such joy and gratitude that I couldn’t help but laugh. I’ll never forget the day my husband’s business began to skyrocket. We had been waiting for a breakthrough for so long, and when it finally happened, we were overjoyed to the point of laughter. But there have been other times when laughter has been a coping mechanism during dark times.
Jewish Humor: Laughing Through the Tears
“In Jewish humor, comedy and tragedy are intertwined and it is often what you might call “laughter through tears,” or as we say in Yiddish, “a bitterer gelekhter!'” Rabbi Leo M Abrami
A common theme throughout the Jewish faith is the idea of “laughing through tears.” The Jewish people have endured years of unimaginable discrimination and anti-Semitism, and humor has been a vital means of survival. A quote by Rabbi Rueven Blulka found at myjewishlearning.com, most closely exemplifies the Jewish use of humor as a means of survival:
“A Jew in Russia falls into a lake, and, not knowing how to swim, he frantically screams, “Help, save me!” But his calls are totally ignored by all present, including several soldiers standing nearby. In desperation, the Jew yells out, “Down with the czar!” At that moment, the soldiers immediately jump in, yank the Jew out of the water, and haul him off to prison.“
By using humor during some of our most challenging times, we take control of our circumstances rather than have them control us. This approach has been helpful to me, as it enables me to see the bigger picture of life rather than fixate solely on my problems. And by the way, laughing babies and funny pet videos work wonders on bad days. It’s even better when you watch them with someone else.
Laughter and Community
Laughter is a way for communities to unite. It serves as a celebration of God and all of his wonders, expressing gratitude within the temple walls. For example, during the reading of the Megillah, the joyous scene of children laughing as they cover “evil Haman” in toilet paper brings the community together. This event unites the Jewish community in a shared celebration of our Torah. Meanwhile, humor is also a way that we can connect with community members outside the religious sector. Events like local theater and other quirky events like the Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Colorado Springs always bring people together.
When Laughter is Destructive
There is nothing spiritual about humor that aims to embarrass, belittle, or hurt another person. Laughter, when taken out of its proper context, can be destructive and may cause anxiety and emotional turmoil for others. The phrase “we’re not laughing at you, we’re laughing with you” only holds if the person being joked about is actually in on the joke and finds it equally funny. Unfortunately, some people use this line to excuse ill-intended humor. In contrast, when laughter brings people together for good, it’s like magic.
Want to Laugh More? Connect With Your Inner Child
Kids are experts in humor. They find almost everything funny. Their brains are free of the mental clutter we often accumulate as adults. Therefore, they are more open to seeing the humor in life. According to statistics, kids laugh a few hundred times a day, while adults are doing well to produce a handful of giggles. The contrast is dramatic. So, let’s all reconnect with our inner child. Be tickled pink by the little things we usually overlook as adults. I’ll leave you with a final story.
During my college years, I shared a top-floor apartment with a roommate. We didn’t have air conditioning and had endured weeks melting in the sweltering summer heat. Then, late one afternoon, the sky turned gray, thick clouds gathered overhead, and heavy rain began to pour down. Without hesitation, my roommate and I rushed outside to enjoy the cooling rainfall. We danced around and played in the puddles, behaving like children. Most importantly, we laughed so hard that tears were streaming down our faces. It’s one of my fondest memories. So, let’s all try to spend more time acting like children. It makes us laugh more, and laughter brings people together, heals, and draws us closer to God. Shalom!
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