Gragger Envy & Other Reflections on Purim

• By Dena
• February 24, 2013
• 1 Comment

I had a fantastic Purim and I hope you did too. I went to a terrific Megillah reading last night that was perfect for my 5 year old. He really paid attention to what was going on, used his kazoo wisely, and was ready each time they asked for children to parade around in their costumes. It was so much fun. There was only one bad part…

My husband got serious gragger envy. There was a man sitting a few rows ahead of us that had an enormous, wooden gragger. The sound it made was sublime. It sounded like an ancient beacon, a deep, resounding sound that came from the depths of a gigantic tree, thousands of years old. It made the high pitch of my maraca seem trivial and insignificant, as if I came to temple unprepared. Countless times my husband nudged me to look at the gragger. He is a man of few wants…but I could tell he wanted this gragger.

I think I found one similar at Mah Tov Gallery, innocuously called Wood Gragger ($85):

I think I’ll buy it for him and because he doesn’t read my blog (certainly not down this far), it will be a total surprise. The hard part is how to hide it until next Purim.

OTHER MUSINGS

I still can’t believe I got my shalach manos out on time. It was such a great feeling having the boys deliver them today. I really enjoyed putting them together and the few I delivered myself got such a sweet response. I highly recommend trying this tradition if you haven’t done it before.

As I always do, I like to reflect on the holiday and think about how I can improve my observance. I think for next year:

1. Must have gigantic gragger. Check.

2. Try making my own hamantaschen. I always forget what a great cookie this is until someone has given me one.

3. Be more prepared for days of festivities. Today I had to miss a seudah because I had so much housework to do. Next year I must remember to get a little ahead to I can really enjoy everything going on.

I hope your Purim was blessed with joviality and charity. I love Purim because it emphasizes the importance of relationships among Jews. I hope your Purim strengthened bonds for you as I hope mine did.

L’Chaim!