The Baal Shem Tov taught that we must apply the lesson of the story of Purim to our own lives. He expounded on the Mishnaic dictum: “One who reads the Megillah backwards does not fulfill his obligation,” and interpreted the term “backwards” as meaning in the past. Thus, one who reads the Megillah and considers it a story that took place in the past has missed the whole meaning of the Megillah. When we recall the story of Purim, it must come alive, so that we relive it now and apply it in our personal Divine service.
Joy
Rebbe Elimelech once fell on a nail, and he showed the wound to his wife, to ask her how deep it was.
Her first thought was to shout out in distress, because it was a very deep wound. But she learned from her husband the importance of maintaining a joyous mood. So she steeled herself and said, “Kein ayin hara, you can put an entire bale of hay in there.”
Rebbe Elimelech laughed, and said that the laughter helped cure him
Joy
Rebbe Elimelech once fell on a nail, and he showed the wound to his wife, to ask her how deep it was.
Her first thought was to shout out in distress, because it was a very deep wound. But she learned from her husband the importance of maintaining a joyous mood. So she steeled herself and said, “Kein ayin hara, you can put an entire bale of hay in there.”
Rebbe Elimelech laughed, and said that the laughter helped cure him
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