Just a few days ago, we celebrated the new month of Adar. The Rabbis teach that as the month of Adar begins and leads up to the holiday of Purim, we are supposed to increase our joy and laughter: Mi Shenichnas Adar, Marbim be’simcha (Babylonian Talmud, Taanit 29a). Jews love to laugh. I once heard a lecturer on the topic of Jewish humor notice that over 80% of comedians in the United States are Jewish. Even if that percentage is slightly high, that is an astounding number especially considering that Jews only make up less than 2% of the US population. Jon Stuart, Sarah Silverman, Milton Berle, Jerry Seinfeld, Woody Allen, George Burns, The Marx brothers, and the Three Stooges are all Jewish. So why are Jews attracted to laughter?
The upcoming holiday of Purim that we will celebrate in the month of Adar provides part of the answer. Purim is a holiday that reminds us of the fragility and randomness of life. An entire Jewish community is almost destroyed because of the whims of a drunken king and an anti-Semetic egomaniac. Yet in the face of all of this randomness, our tradition has us celebrate for an entire month leading up to the holiday with laughter, and joy, singing, and silliness. According to the rabbis, we enter Adar with joy and celebrate Purim with satire and laughter because laughter is a sign of life. Laughter is an acknowledgment that we are living and we intend to live on, constantly striving to improve the world despite life’s obstacles. Laughter gives us comfort and hope. According to our tradition, even God laughs.
So this week, take a moment to laugh. Watch a funny movie, look up some good jokes on the internet, listen to an old comedy routine or watch some funny TV. It will do you some good because life is meant to be celebrated, even in the face of the pain and suffering that comes with everyday living.