A Thought from the Rabbi
In the words of an old saying, “What goes up - must come down.” When you awaken on the day after Purim this could be a problem, for who wants to come down from the spiritual high experienced on Purim? Not me! I want to stay in the clouds – seeing every glass as half full and feeling love and appreciation for everyone I encounter.
Purim teaches us the lesson that everything is possible. In the blink of an eye the Almighty can transform the direst of circumstances into utter redemption and joy! Notice the operative word, “teaches,” not “taught.” The lesson of Purim cannot be relegated to the past (tense). On the contrary, it is meant to be recounted in the present tense. It must stay with us at all times.
In the Code of Jewish Law there is an interesting excerpt that states if one read the Megillah backwards he has not fulfilled his obligation. Now who would do such a ridiculous thing? The meaning of this law is actually he who views the lessons of Purim as being in the past has not fulfilled his/her obligation in reading (and learning from) the Megillah.
What this law is telling us is that we need not step down from the highs of Purim. In fact we are meant to use the joyousness we experienced on Purim as a stepping stone or even a spring board to greater things! We build on the joy of yesterday to make today better and tomorrow better still. In the words of Psalms (in matters of holiness) we are meant to go ‘from strength to strength.’ When it comes to our divine service we must endeavor to continually grow.
Of course this can be a huge challenge! That is where the other commandments associated with Purim come in handy. The love and community-building engendered by our copious charity giving and Shalach Manos (food gift giving) helps create the support system that assists us in our mission to achieve perpetual forward motion and growth. The Creator helps us in this regard as well. When we make the honest effort G-d will help us along the path to happiness and success.
To better illustrate this point here is a salient quote from the Rebbe’s HaYom Yom(Thought for the Day) of 16 Adar II: “Divine Service for the business person includes arousing within himself the faith and perfect trust in the One Who feeds and sustains all flesh, that He will provide him with an ample livelihood. He must be truly happy and cheerful, as though all his livelihood were already in hand.” (Emphasis Added).
We are truly blessed! We get to transition from the frenetic happiness of Purim to (perhaps) a more peaceful joy on Shabbos! Still not feeling it? Go to shul, pray with a group, study some Torah (and listen closely to the Rabbi’s sermon), enjoy some Kiddush goodies, and you will see what I mean!