A quick thought before we run out to hear the Megillah. As everyone else, my family has been anxiously following the news about the coronavirus pandemic that has caused so much disruption to people’s lives. While relatively few people are actually sick, pretty much everyone’s life has been affected in some way, whether by a canceled Purim party or inability to get together with beloved family members.
I can’t claim to manage a positive perspective on the situation. However, I can attempt to learn something from it. Perhaps we can come out of it with a renewed appreciation for our family and friends. In our busy lives, we tend to take them for granted. We tend to assume that we’ll be able to see them whenever we’d like. Perhaps we can appreciate the opportunities we have to get together and make extra efforts to stay in touch in between.
Another theme that strikes me these days is the role of the community in Jewish life. Our lives are interconnected, and we depend on each other both for physical and spiritual needs. With so many people spending Purim in isolation this year, forgoing some of its mitzvos for the sake of protecting other people in their community, perhaps we can renew our commitment to mitzvos bein adam lechaveiro, which are sometimes neglected in favor of mitzvos bein adam lemakom. Certainly, both categories of mitzvos are important. This pandemic is forcing us to reevaluate our attitudes towards the former, especially when we are prevented from performing them in the way we are used to. Purim is very much a communal holiday. But even after Purim, and G-d willing, once the pandemic is over, we can continue to reach out to those in our community who could use a smile and a visit, and just plain human contact.
Wishing a very happy Purim to everyone, and a refuah sheleima to everyone who needs it!