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MARCH 17, 2022 | The Jewish Home OCTOBER 29, 2015 | The Jewish Home
Life C ach
Paw Patrol and Purim By Rivki D. Rosenwald Esq., LMFT, CLC, SDS
I
’m confused! So, you are dressing up so that I’ll know that we didn’t see G-d in the Purim story. I don’t see how seeing Batman or Oprah or a whole family dressed as Paw Patrol is going to remind me of that. Oh yes, and add to that that I’ll be drunk when I’m supposed to figure that out. I’m even more confused – why am I giving you treats and you’re giving me treats? Couldn’t we each just give ourselves treats and avoid the hustle and bustle and the traffic?! And why are we hearing the story of what happened on Purim on Wednesday night and then immediately again on Thursday morning? Is everyone suffering with senior moment-itis?! Also, why does the Talmud say that when this month comes in, joy comes in? Look I get that snow comes in this month – I’ve seen it! And cold comes around – I’ve felt it! Even financial instability may show up – we may be seeing some of that right now. But where’s the joy that’s being touted? There are lots of mixed messages. What’s going on? I’m supposed to know that when you don’t look like you, I should be
reminded that things aren’t always as they seem. Well, let’s think about that. Sometimes a brunette becomes a blonde or short person adds heels or a tired person coffees up – what are they demonstrating? They are perhaps saying I may look brunette to you but inside I’m feeling blonde; or I may not look intimidating to you, but I feel I’m a person of stature; or I may seem tired physically, but really I’m raring to go – my body just hasn’t caught up. . How do they do that?
Jews seemed doomed! And Haman seemed at the top of his game! But alas, everything changed. Because the King loved his bride! And I don’t mean Achashveirosh, the king of Persia, loved Esther, but rather the King of the universe, G-d, loved His bride, the Jewish people. Suddenly, the King comes through on a whole other level. Haman found himself at the top of a tree rather than the world. Whether you are a “witch” family or a “paw” one, we get reminded on
Finally, on Purim, we admit to our truly drunken perspective.
It seems it takes a little physical effort to change things! On Purim, we are reminded that with a little “mental effort,” we can also see that things aren’t as stuck as they appear. The story of Purim unmasked the giant secret that G-d is always there operating behind the scenes. One set of realities seemed at play: Esther seemed doomed; Mordechai seemed doomed; why name names? All the
the holiday of Purim that G-d can turn things around in a minute. This is the joy in this month. The wake-up call to this reality. We hear the story twice, because we can’t be reminded of that enough. G-d can do anything, and anything that you think He’s doing you may not be seeing correctly. You only see the masked version, but unmasked we could see a whole different reality.
Because we live our daily lives like “drunks,” so to speak, thinking we are on sure footing. Finally, on Purim, we admit to our truly drunken perspective. And why give each other treats? Because we are celebrating friendship and connection! We are not just giving to the poor – that’s the charity piece. But we are also giving to friends and neighbors – that’s the clarity piece – where we support each other through the stumbling blocks of hidden truths and bolster the other for the journey. That’s why lots of sugar energies us up! Now take that reality into your year. When stuff seems tough, recall Rubble who gets rid of trouble. G-d’s Patrolling the area. He can Chase away the worst, and Marshal in change. You are safer than you think. Just talk to the King. So much can be revealed and changed!
Rivki Rosenwald is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist working with both couples and individuals and is a certified relationship counselor. Rivki is a co-founder and creator of an effective Parent Management of Adolescent Years Program. She can be contacted at 917705-2004 or at rivkirosenwald@gmail. com.
