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.
amen to that! thanks for the historical perspective and exercise in gratitude 🙂
That is a great view.
The answer to the question about “What holiday celebrates the victory over Hitler?
is Yom Ha’atzmaut.