Yankel & Haman

Purim is one day in the present month of Adar when we are commanded to drink L’chaim and be merry.

Once upon a time there lived a Jew by the name of Yankel, who had a custom that he would drink and drink throughout the entire month of Adar. When asked by the townsfolk to explain the logic behind the month-long-non-stop marathon of endless booze, he willingly offered his thoughts:

“Listen people, on Purim we celebrate our salvation from total annihilation, when the terrible Haman schemed to kill all the Jews on one day, the thirteenth of Adar.

“And I ask you; why for all times sake, did Haman plan on killing millions of people on one day, and not over a longer period of time? A week, a month…. Why in one day? What’s the rush, it would seem close to impossible to carry it out, so why the ‘one day kill all’ deal?”

By now a large crowd had joined the spectacle, here was the town drunkard putting forth a Talmudic discourse. Wow! Even the learned amongst them were listening with full attention.

“My dear friends”, cried Yankel with a thumb swinging high as if he was lecturing to a hall packed with Yeshiva students;

Haman was no dumbbell! He knew good and well, that throughout history, in many instances of danger for the Jewish people, G-d had come to the rescue. He had a suspicion that it might repeat itself on his plan.

“So Haman said to himself; if a miracle does happen, I will only give them one day to celebrate!”

By now Yankel was standing tall and shouting for all to hear: “I know of Haman’s plan, therefore I drink for the entire month.”

***

When Adar enters, we add in joy.

This year we have not one but two months of Adar, totaling 60 days of nonstop joy and happiness.

Everyday we add, we climb another rung on the ladder of happiness, higher and higher we grow, wider and wider the smile widens. Not because of the money in the bank, but despite of it. It is happiness from within – being happy with our (a)lot, and singing the never ending song of praise to the Almighty, for all He’s done and continues to do, for me and you.

And the happiness shall never stop, for soon the day will come when “our mouths will be full of laughter”, with the coming of Moshiach, which is gonna happen real soon.