The Shabbat Table: Weekly Notes from ChayaLeah

Purim edition

Happy Purim!! Today is the 14th day of the month of Adar, which is the wonderful holiday of Purim! There is so much to share about Purim, but because it’s a hectic day I’m going to make this short and sweet.

Here is a good overview of the holiday, including recipes, texts, and various resources to explore:

PURIM INFO

Here is the latest episode of the edJEWcation podcast, where we break down the Book of Esther and explore the significance of what we need to do to celebrate this holiday:

edJEWcation Purim Episode

In this episode, I mention my favorite Purim picture of all time:

Do you get why this picture is hilarious??

As I sit here typing this, I can feel a bit of a knot in my stomach. In just a few minutes, my front door will open to my family and friends, bringing us beautiful gifts of food and drink for the Purim mitzvah of Mishloach Manot. In the past, I used to put a lot of effort into creating something special to give back. I would spend hours brainstorming a theme, shopping for the most charming or elegant packaging, and baking and assembling everything with care.

For some reason, I just can’t bring myself to do it anymore. I want to care. I want to create beautiful gifts for my friends, but something has changed, and I just can’t put in the effort. Now, before you think I’m slacking in my Purim celebration, know that I hosted a Purim party for around 60 college students last night and will be having about 150 people over for the Purim/Shabbat meal today! When I think about it, I realize that what’s bothering me is more about peer pressure than the actual fulfillment of the mitzvah. Do we ever fully get over peer pressure? Will I feel like this when I’m 60? 80?

Anyhow, sorry for throwing up my feelings on this post… no need to feel bad for me… I’m just venting.

Here’s my special Purim wig….. I wish I could wear this all year!

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my dear grandfather, Shimshon, who passed away on Purim 18 years ago. He was truly the best grandfather anyone could ask for. To capture what made him so special, I’d need to write a novel-length post, but that’s not happening today!

The only reason I’m taking the time to write this now is so that my cohosts, Yael and Jay, don’t get to say, “I knew she wouldn’t follow through with this.”

I would like to share two of my grandfather’s favorite quotes:

“Don’t bullshit a bullshitter.” (My grandmother would get so upset when he cursed…. I wonder where I got the bad habit….)

“He’s so cheap he wouldn’t pay a nickel to see the Statue of Liberty take a leak.” (You’d be surprised how often this was used in conversation!)

My grandfather, Shimshon, holding my two older sons.

My favorite meme this week:

Happy Purim and Shabbat Shalom!!!!