The Talmud contains a fascinating story about an act that is apparently so important and noble that it GUARANTEES the one who performs it a spot in the World to Come (Heaven).
Which singular action could be so powerful and meaningful? Does a Jew have to donate major sums of his money to earn his place in the Next World? Does he have to learn Torah 18 hours a day?
We find the answer in the Talmud (Ta’anit 22a). A Rabbi was walking in a Persian marketplace when the Prophet Elijah himself appeared to him. The Rabbi asked Elijah, “Is there anyone in this marketplace who merits a place in the World to Come?”
At first, Elijah said, “No.” But a short while later, two men walked by and Elijah told the Rabbi that the two men would be granted a spot. Burning with curiosity, the sage approached the two men and asked them what they did.
“We are jesters,” they told him. “We cheer up those who are depressed.”
That may seem insignificant, but today we know it’s crucial. Positive psychology highlights the benefits of laughter.
People who laugh more tend to be more extroverted, have higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of depression. Laughter has been associated with an array of health benefits – lowered stress levels and the release of beneficial hormones among them. Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way by Dan Buettner (page 167).
We know instinctively that laughter is important, but along the way some of us forgot that laughter and simcha (Jewish joy) aren’t separate from Judaism. Maybe we had a bad experience with an overly strict Rabbi in Jewish day school or Hebrew school. Or perhaps we began to focus excessively on days of mourning and Jewish historical tragedies. Whatever happened, it’s important to correct course and remember that happiness, laughter and Judaism are meant to be integrated.
The motto of this blog is:
Living Jewishly means living joyously!
Purim comes once a year to remind us that laughter isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. We put on masks and costumes, consume alcohol, attend festive Megilla readings and parties, and perhaps most importantly, we laugh.
Solitary laughter isn’t enough. Remember that the two people in the Talmud story earned the highest reward for making other people laugh. Very much a communal religion, Judaism places a high value on cheering up others and helping them achieve happiness.
In my own life, I’m lucky to have a hilarious brother who lives in Hollywood and works in the comedy industry. He never fails to crack me up and he is definitely the “fun/crazy uncle” to my three lucky children.
I try to emulate his ability to make others laugh whenever possible. Two years ago, I found myself in the hospital battling a mysterious illness and I got a little down on myself for thinking and acting pessimistically. But then I heard my wife speaking with a young patient who was in the bed next to mine. I overheard him tell her, “It’s a pleasure sharing a room with your husband, he’s always smiling and laughing.”
Hopefully I helped lift his spirits. Whose spirits can you lift during this special month of happiness?
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