50 Years Later, I Finally Have an Answer by “Bubby”

50 Years Later, I Finally Have an Answer by “Bubby”

At the Passover seder, some fifty years ago, my eight-year-old son and I were studying a well-illustrated Haggadah.

“Who is that?” he asked, pointing to a picture.

“Pharoah,” I replied.

He nodded and pointed again.

“And who is that?”

“Antiochus,” I replied

He nodded and pointed again.

“And who is that?”

“Achashverosh,” I answered.

Another nod and another question.

“And who is that?”

“Hitler, ” I whispered.

“Hittle er … what holiday?” he asked naively.

I must have hugged him, perhaps mumbling some words. I really don’t remember. I didn’t have any answer then.

Last year, while walking home from shul, after saying the Kinos of Tisha B’Av night, an answer came to me.

“What holiday?” What holiday, indeed.

I should have said, “Every bris and kiddush honoring the arrival of a new Jewish soul…

“Every Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration, reaffirming commitment and Torah values…

“Every Chuppah…

“Is THAT holiday!”

Finally … I knew the answer to my little boy’s question.

3 comments

  1. amen to that! thanks for the historical perspective and exercise in gratitude 🙂

  2. That is a great view.

  3. Esther Lapian

    The answer to the question about “What holiday celebrates the victory over Hitler?
    is Yom Ha’atzmaut.

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