Rabbi’s Corner – Having Fun Edition

Dear Friends,

Regular readers of this column know that I often write about such principles as freedom and democracy.  Since this is the Fourth of July weekend, I thought would focus on how we celebrate our freedoms.  Many of us take the opportunity to reconnect with family, barbecues, blockbuster movies, outdoor relaxation, and in the words of the Simpsons,  “celebrate your country’s independence by blowing up a small part of it.” All these customs exemplify the freedom of burdens of our regular routine and simply an opportunity to have fun.

While some Jewish communities find little use for recreational activities, we do find in the Rabbinic tradition that lightening one’s mood may actually assist in spiritual development.  The Tamud states that the divine presence only rests when people are happy, not through levity, but through the joy associated with performing the mitzvot. For just one example, before commencing with high-level halakhic discourse, the Amorah Rabbah would introduce his lecture with humor (B. Shabbat 30b).  In this way, the moment of mental relaxation would facilitate the student’s ability to focus on his teachings.

However the Talmud also records cautionary tales of excessive recreation, even if well intended.  R. Elazar Ben Arakh, left his colleagues in Yavneh to enjoy the amenities of a more luxurious community.  However, due to his complacency and the dearth of rabbinic scholars, R. Elazar Ben Arakh’s skills declined until his colleagues prayed for him (B. Shabbat 147b, Kohelet Rabba 7:15).

With the start of the summer season, I wish everyone take the time to enjoy and decompress from their stressors, so that we may return rejuvenated to better pursue our spiritual journeys.

Shabbat Shalom and have fun!

Rabbi Josh Yuter