This week’s challenge over at the Frugalette was to get happy by smiling! I guess this is a bit of that “If you build it, they will come” kind of thing. So we went out and found a reason to smile.
This week, the Jewish world is observing a holiday called Purim, which celebrates the Biblical story of Esther (and some serious girl power there!). I discussed this holiday in detail last year, and even created a video to show you the insanity of the celebration! It’s like American Halloween meets European Carnival meets some sort of spring festival.
The Jewish month of Adar, during which Purim happens, is traditionally considered the most joyful month on the Jewish calendar. However, it just so happens to fall during the season of Lent, which is not usually considered a particularly joyful month for Catholics. While Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, Adar is a time of dressing in costumes, eating hamantaschen and general revelry.
So, yesterday morning, we took a quick break from the Lenten seriousness and dressed as a human ying yang to get out and enjoy the party with our Jewish neighbors. We even perfected the ying yang pose (see below). And, of course, we didn’t forget to smile!
But we didn’t eat any of those hamantaschen, because we gave up sweets for Lent. And a few hours later, since it was a Friday during Lent, we went to pray the Stations of the Cross with some friends from church. That is, along the actual Via Dolorosa, where everything actually happened…
…Because that’s how we roll here in Jerusalem.
Wow! What an awesome way to do Stations! I should put that on my life’s to-do list!
It really is a beautiful experience. I truly believe that every Christian (and Jew and Muslim) should see the Holy Land at least once in their life! It might be time to start convincing the hubby you should travel here soon!
This is amazing! I had no idea that’s how Purim was celebrated. What an experience to be in Lent and have another big holiday with such a different tone going on. I really love reading your posts, it’s such a beautiful glimpse into life there.
The most amazing thing about Jerusalem is that, since it’s such an important place to so many different types of people, there are always several layers of meaning piled on top of each other at any given time. There are always really interesting juxtapositions like that. It really is a fascinating place. I’m glad you’re enjoying the posts! I really like the challenges and I’ve done all of them so far!
Such joy! Love the Yin Yang and the walk down Via Dolorosa, that is amazing!
Mark L.
Thanks for stopping by, Mark! We had a lot of fun thinking up that costume.
Are there any holidays in Korea where people dress up? I am always amazed at the opportunities we have to celebrate events from the Bible in the places where they actually happened. The Holy Land is a very special place!