The very existence of the Jewish People is absurd from a historical perspective

“And Sarah laughed inside, saying, after I’ve withered I should have soft skin? And my husband is old.” (Bereishis 18:12)

The theme of laughter recurs too many times in parshas Vayeira to be coincidental. When Sarah heard the angels herald that she’d bear a son at her advanced age, she responded by laughing.

Lot’s sons-in-law laughed when he warned them about Sedom’s imminent destruction. Sarah’s decision to send Yishmael and Hagar away was cemented when she observed him metzacheik — mocking. (Rabbi Ozer Alport, Parsha Potpourri)

ON

n a national level and a personal one, getting through each day requires a sense of humor. Otherwise, how do you explain that the Houthis keep bombing, but we’re still here? Seriously? Clearly Hashem is allowing us the last laugh. And how did my freezer break down two days before Succos, and then my washing machine the day after Succos? C’mon, seriously? Yes it’s a very serious matter; that’s what cracks me up.

Further on in the parshah it says that when Yitzchak was born, his father gave him a name that means, “He will laugh,” and his mother remarked: “Hashem has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.”

I’m blessed with a healthy sense of humor that allows me to see the comedy in all aspects of life. It’s not the cynical wit of leitzanus. It’s humor that stems from seeing how apparent it is that Hashem is in charge because otherwise, seriously…?

Take last week. I pulled up to the bagel shop and ran in to pick up my prepaid order. I was out of the car for approximately three minutes. I came back to the parking lot to discover that someone had sideswiped my car, bending in the side fender. To their credit they left a phone number. They must’ve written really quickly and then bolted, because like I said, I was away for three minutes…. It made me smile to think about the perpetrator dashing away as I came out with my bagel breakfast. These things happen. I wasn’t even sure I’d bother having it fixed, because time is money.

Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch explains that it’s appropriate that parshas Vayeira, which discusses the foundations of the Jewish nation, is replete with the concept of laughter, for the very existence of the Jewish People is absurd from a historical perspective. The notion that a relatively small nation should be exiled from its homeland and dispersed around the earth, twice, for more than 1,900 years, and manage to maintain its religious identity and traditions defies logic.

Yet as preposterous as it seemed for 90-year-old Sarah to give birth, that’s how impossible our continued existence is. Ultimately, we’ll have the last laugh, as Dovid Hamelech writes in Tehillim 126:2 “Then our mouths will be filled with laughter.”

Three days later, I was driving down a main street when a bus stopped in front of me (everyday occurrence around here). I stopped my car with plenty of distance between me and the bus. Car behind me did not. Bang! Hit me dead center. Seriously, Hashem? In the same week? I jumped out to see the damage and baruch Hashem there was no dent! Seriously, Hashem! Thank You so much!

But when I went to get back into my car, it wouldn’t move. Apparently the bump caused my brakes to lock. My car was frozen in the middle of a busy one-lane road. It didn’t take long for the beeping to start, everyone’s ire directed at me. But I couldn’t do a thing about it. Neutral didn’t work either. Seriously, Hashem?

I floored the gas, and with a huge grinding sound, the car crawled along just enough to let other cars pass. What would happen if a huge truck came along? I wasn’t gonna worry about the future.

I called a tow truck and spent the five hours until it arrived trying to figure out how to get thorough the next appointment-filled days without a car.

Finally, it showed up. The driver got into my car, turned on the engine, and the brakes worked. The car drove. Seriously, Hashem? Thank You so much!

I’ve found with humor it all makes sense, because none of it makes sense. There’s only the funny side of things to keep you going when the going gets rough.

Seriously? Yes. I take my sense of humor very seriously.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 967)