Q:
Some people say that Yom Kippur means that it’s Yom Ki-Purim, that it’s a day like Purim. Could you explain that?
A:
Of course, it’s only a joke, but I’ll explain the joke. It means that Purim, if it’s properly celebrated, then it’s possible for us to rise great levels.
On Yom Kippur you can’t take in any fuel – but on Purim you can fuel. And you can refuel too. And therefore, on Purim you can soar to great heights. Of course, if there’s nothing in your airplane except fuel, so what’s the purpose? You’ll ride higher, and then you’ll pour in more fuel and ride higher – but if you don’t know where you’re going, so what’s the purpose? But if you have a mission, then there’s a purpose in fueling.
But Yom Kippur since you can’t refuel, so it’s Yom Ki-Purim. It’s a day like Purim. It means you have to get all the exhilaration of Purim in without benefit of fuel. That’s what it means. That’s a big job of course, but what can you do?
And that’s what the joker who said that frum joke meant when he said Yom Kippur means Yom Ki-Purim. But don’t quote me on that.
TAPE # 212 (March 1978)
Q:
How do I utilize drinking עד דלא ידע in order to serve Hashem?
A:
עד דלא ידע בין ארור המן לברוך מרדכי. I’ll tell you one peirush. It means עד ולא עד בכלל. You drink up to the point of losing your da’as. You drink just enough – but not enough to lose your da’as. You have to have more da’as on Purim, not less.
Now, a little bit of da’as can be gained by drinking. It’s like an airplane that needs high octane gas to get up in the air. A little bit of alcohol helps your spirit go higher; a little bit of mashkeh, yes. But too much alcohol will sink you. There’s no use in falling asleep in the middle of Purim like a drunken goy and then they have to call Hatzalah. On Purim you should be gaining da’as andifyou utilize the day properly, that’s what it will be – a day of da’as. But you won’t gain any da’as lying on the floor waiting for Hatzalah to come.
TAPE # E-225 (March 2000)