Yes, I am costumed as the Doctor Who TARDIS; my hair, lips and nails are blue and yes, that is a Sonic Screwdriver I am holding in my hand. Great holiday.
When Raphaela saw the Mishloach Manot [Gifts of food, with an 105% sugar content and every variation of candy one can imagine] from her class mates, she literally cried out of joy. Her, along with the dentists across Israel, who will reap the benefits of this particular tradition in the days and weeks to come.
I would be remiss if I did not relay this story which perhaps encapsulates the truest story of Purim, and that is sacrifice and love for others. On the way to our family Purim feast today, the last in the longest series of holiday events ever, we passed by a synagogue near our house. Along the entire sidewalk stood various men and woman asking for charity, one of the four major commandments of the holiday. (The fifth being, Thou shalt get drunk.)
Carrying only the bare minimum, I felt terrible that I had not brought my wallet with me, and apologized profusely. One of the women standing there said, "My children do not have Mishloach Monaot this year." Without hesitation, Raphaela reached into the bag she was carrying, which contained a selection of some of her favorite candy gifts of the day. She pulled out a large package of cookies, handed it to the woman and said, "We have so much junk food at home, more than we need. Now your children can be happy too."
3 comments:
your comments about Purim strike me as being cynical. Enjoy the holiday of Purim and know you have done well if your daughter is willing to give up precious "junk food" for others. My kids are all happy with all the junk food they receive because it makes them happy to see how much mishloach manot we've gotten but in no way expect we are going to let them eat all of it.
How lovely that she gave some of the mishloah manot to the woman so spontaneously. We had a good one this year too. Glad it's over though. :)
Not cynical at all actually, only exhausted after what was essentially a four day holiday vacation from school. I am immensely proud of my daughter for being so generous of spirit, and as a doctor and a mother, there is no way she is going to eat all the candy et al that she received. I am also immensely grateful that she has school on Sunday.
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