On our First PurimLit. "Lots." A carnival holiday celebrated on the 14th of the Jewish month of Adar, commemorating the Jewish victory over the Persians as told in the Book of Esther. Purim is celebrated by reading the megilla (Book of Esther), exchanging gifts, giving money to the poor, and holding a festive meal. At the megilla reading, merrymakers are dressed in costumes, people drink, and noisemakers (graggers) are sounded whenever the villain Haman's name is mentioned. after October 7,
who feels like merriment?
Who can muster giddiness?
American papers & TikTok tell horror half-stories,
armed sentinels at Jewish doors tell hate stories.
Israeli hostages caged, can’t tell their stories.
Yet, we are commanded to increase our joy–
So, lift your glass to find a way
that befits the holiday known to
to celebrate tragedy averted,
sadness replaced by joy.
Like our ancestors flipping the hourglass
this day “v’nahafoch hu” –Everything on its head.
Yet, we are commanded to increase our joy–
So, lift a top-shelf Purim cocktail,
made much like a coffee sipped
on the promenade by Tel Aviv’s turquoise sea.
Café Hafuch, upside down coffee, bevakasha
arrives creamy white milk atop black coffee,
immediate delight to see and to taste.
Café Hafuch inspires ‘Purim Cocktail Hafuch’:
Upside down, flipped cocktail, not in colors, but in process.
If you are not too tipsy yet, follow closely:
the first sip enhances our shared hangover
a killer headache of major proportion
We all have groggy heads pained, confused.
Yet, we are commanded to increase our joy–
Patiently place a cold cloth on one another’s brow.
The morning is coming and Purim Cocktail Hafuch
brings after a painful night, joy when dawn breaks.*
The upside-down recipe inherited from the stories generations tell
these days of Purim will never cease among the Jews
and the memory of them shall never perish among our descendants.**
We are commanded to increase our joy, l’chaim!
*Psalm 30:6
**EstherHeroine of the Purim story and Megillat (the scroll of) Esther. She is married to the king by her cousin Mordecai and ultimately saves her people from execution. 9:28
