April 2025 - Joy in Judaism

We are right in between Purim and Passover. We celebrated how Queen Esther saved the Jewish people and how Vashti stood up to the King. Soon we will celebrate our freedom from slavery and our redemption. Whereas Purim is fun, silly, noisy and has unexpected twists and turns, Passover is about order, routine, cleaning, preparing, and going step by step through the story we retell each year.
 
Each holiday teaches us lessons. We can learn from Esther that we too may have a purpose that reveals itself only after a zany set of unpredictable circumstances. And Passover reminds us of our constant striving for renewed freedoms, even today, and how our past is just as relevant to our present and our future.
 
Whether chaotic or orderly, our history has something for everyone. It provides for joy in all celebrations. Joy in Judaism is a reminder that, through life’s ups and downs, our strength lies in coming together, in rejoicing, and in acts of generosity. These are all key to both of these holidays, as well as many others. May we continue to embrace the joy as we move through this time period, looking back and looking ahead.
 
Chag sameach,
Cantor Rena