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Fast or Feast?
Rabbi Elazar Rokeach of Amsterdam sat at the head of the long
table crowded with relatives and prominent members of the community. It was
Purim, and the great rabbi was about to begin the festive Purim meal.
The huge table was laden with enormous platters of meat, stuffed
fish and other delicacies that had been sent to Rabbi Elazar as "meshloach
manot", the special gifts of food that are one of the mitzvot of Purim. Fine
wines and other beverages were also available in abundance. In between the many
courses, Rabbi Elazar expounded on the meaning and significance of the Purim
holiday.
The celebration was well underway when a knock was heard at the
door. Standing on the threshold were three emissaries of the Queen on an urgent
mission. After apologizing profusely for interrupting, they asked to speak to
the elderly rabbi. Rabbi Elazar motioned for them to approach the table and
deliver their message. They told him that in a certain district of Holland a dam
had burst, and that thousands of innocent people were in danger of drowning.  | | " A sizeable portion of the country was in the direct path of the water...." | | |
As is obvious from its modern name, much of the Netherlands
("lowlands") lies below sea level. Over the centuries, a series of dams - high,
fortified walls - were built to protect the Dutch people from being inundated by
the ocean. One of these dams had now given way, and a sizeable portion of the
country was in the direct path of the water.
The Queen's emissaries had heard much about the piety of the
saintly Rabbi. Thus, after delivering their message, they fully expected him go
off into a corner and pray. Surprisingly, however, they were invited to sit down
and join in the festivities.
It was even more curious when Rabbi Elazar ordered every bottle
of wine and whiskey remaining in the house to be placed on the table. Within
minutes it was covered with an assortment of bottles and decanters. "Now,
gentlemen," he continued, "let us fulfill the mitzvah of the day to the best of
our abilities. We will drink until we cannot distinguish between 'cursed is
Haman' and 'blessed is Mordechai'. "
The dozens of guests, including the venerable rabbi, quickly
drained all of the assorted bottles of liquor. Before the astonished eyes of the
Queen's emissaries, the elderly rabbi jumped up to conduct the revelry,
whereupon everyone began dancing around the table. | | " The Queen was overjoyed to see them...." | | |
The emissaries could not believe what they were seeing. The
scene in the rabbi's house was starting to resemble an unruly tavern. Without
anyone noticing, the three men crept outside and returned to the royal palace.
The Queen was overjoyed to see them. She told them that their
mission had been successful, and that the breach in the dam had been repaired.
Instead of death and destruction, the damage had actually been quite minimal.
The emissaries were shocked, especially when they learned that
the dam had been fixed at the exact time Rabbi Elazar and his guests were at the
height of their carousing!
They proceeded to describe to the Queen everything they had
witnessed in the rabbi's house. Now it was the Queen's turn to be surprised, and
on two accounts: How could such an esteemed rabbi have behaved in such a manner?
And more importantly, why was it that the workers had suddenly been able to fix
the dam at that exact moment?
A few days later Rabbi Elazar was summoned before the Queen.
Officially, it was to be thanked on behalf of the nation. Privately, however,
the Queen hoped to clarify exactly what had happened that day. When the right
moment presented itself, the Queen asked him directly. Rabbi Elazar smiled, his
countenance exuding an ancient wisdom. "We Jews act in a unique manner," he
replied. "Whenever it seems as if G-d is angry, we try to appease Him by
fulfilling His will.
"The day the dam broke was Purim," he continued, "when we are
commanded to be happy to the point of intoxication. Had I responded by praying
and imploring G-d amidst tears, not only would I have failed to fulfill His
wishes, but actually transgressed one of His commandments. It was precisely
because I recognized the magnitude of the danger that I encouraged everyone to
be even more joyful, in the hope it would arouse G-d's mercy."
The Queen was very pleased by Rabbi Elazar's explanation, and
sent him home accompanied by a royal entourage.
[Adapted from the rendition on www.lchaimweekly.org
(#660).]
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