Full disclosure: I'm a gentile. And though I do have some Cherokee blood in me and there are contested reports of the Cherokee people celebrating Jewish holidays, I have never officially attended a synagogue or Shabbat dinner. Truth be told, I just misspelled synagogue on my first attempt (thanks spell check). That said, I am fascinated by the Jewish culture and faith. I've watched Rosh Hashanah services on Shalom TV, began learning Hebrew, and even secretly fasted last Yom Kippor. I imagined my fellow Christians would ask me why I'm doing this. And I've yet to come up with an answer - only that it feels right. Perhaps, no one cares one way or the other. My lovely 93 year old great aunt asked me if I was becoming Jewish when she heard I'd been drawn to the Hebrew language. She asked matter-of-factly. I suppose after 93 years, it's anything goes.
So, my dear readers, of which I believe there are none if you don't count my brother who occasionally peeks in from time to time (hey bro!), I'm outing myself as...well, I don't know exactly. Let's just say I feel free to share my passions here. One of those passions being the study of Judaism as well as Christianity's Jewish origins.
Lent is in full force as we count down to Purim this Saturday. The two holidays seem on the surface to be worlds apart. Purim is a festival that more closely resembles Mardi Gras than Lent - full of costumes, pastries, and lots of wine. Lent is rather a somber occasion in which participants give up something for forty days and partake in introspection. During Lent, one does without some worldly luxury and surely does not stuff themselves with sweets and wine while donning costumes.
However, there is a tie that bonds the two holidays: Deliverance. Purim celebrates Queen Esther saving the Jews from extermination by bravely speaking up and, thus, defeating the evil Haman. Lent, on the other hand, seeks to remind one of the preparation of Christ leading up to his crucifixion where he would deliver us from our sins.
The intricate story of Purim depends on a series of so-called coincidences that led Esther to be in the right place at the right time to save her people. Therefor, it is also a celebration of how God works behind the scenes, how God is hidden in everything. Jesus, too, had a road to the cross full of "chance" happenings. Of course, these were not accidents at all. It was destined. God is hidden in plain sight, at all times.
This Lent, I've chosen to give up several food groups that are bad for me, stop posting on facebook, and greatly limiting my daily TV time. I'm amazed how easy it is to pass up chocolate cake right now and disheartened when I sneak in some extra couch time in front of the tube. I'm not perfect, that's for sure. I do believe there is a great freedom in discipline. Which brings me right back to deliverance: the act of being rescued from domination, bondage or danger. While a carton of ice cream may seem a silly vice to be rescued from, Lent is showing me every day how I've leaned on a food or fictional show for a peace I need to find in myself.
I'm still not sure if and how I'll celebrate Purim. I never gave up wine...
Peace and Chag Purim Sameach!
