Purim 5771

As the Holiday of Purim is approaching, I want to share with you a thought which is brought in Toldos Yaakov Yosef in the name of the Baal Shem Tov.

What purpose is there in drinking on Purim ? Isn't the Holiday supposed to be something spiritual ? The same could be asked about every Shabbos. What's the point in making Festive meals and having Seudos ?

The Baal Shem Tov answers with the following parable: a pince was once sent away from his father's palace into exile. He ended up on a farm with very simple people, who needed no more than farming clothes and food with some alcohol and tractor ... After a long time in exile, the prince received a letter from his father, the king. He was so excited and really wanted to express his joy, but he didn't have with whom to share his joy. So he decided to make a big party and he fed all the peasants meat and strong wine. They were all rejoicing with the food and he was rejoicing with the letter.

So too with a person, his soul gets excited with Shabbos, with Yom Tov, with a Purim, but the body gets happy from some meat, some chulent, and some good wine/whiskey. So in order for the soul to be able to be joyous with his neighbor the body, we are commanded to drink on Purim. However let us not forget the soul. We dhould come to the recognition and appreciate all the miracles Hashem performed for us!

Have a Happy Purim!