One of the IDF soldiers currently here in New York as part of our Belev Echad tour is Noam.
While working in the IDF, Noam’s job involved driving a bull dozer and clearing mines. Unfortunately, during Operation Protective Edge, his entire body was burned in a terrible oil explosion.
During dinner one night this week, Noam sat next to Yankel, one of our congregants. They chatted about this and that, and Noam happened to mention that since he was a young child, he had always dreamed about driving a Porsche. Even all these years later, after his life has changed so drastically, this dream has remained a constant.
Well, Yankel needed to hear no more. He arrived the next day with his sleek Porsch, surprising Noam with it. He handed over the keys and Noam was able to drive around to his heart’s content, at long last fulfilling his life-long dream.
Noam, of course, was thrilled. It was patently clear how happy he was driving that Porsche. Interestingly, Yankel was no less euphoric than Noam! From the smile on his face, it was clear he, too, was ecstatic. In fact, perhaps he was even happier!
Our sages teach that the joy of giving is greater even than the joy of receiving. When a person is given something, he receives something quantifiable. He knows exactly what it is. But at the same time, he gives the giver a much larger gift—the gift of giving.
When we give to others we connect with the Divine, which is what makes the joy of giving so great.
This Purim, let’s enjoy the gift of giving. Let’s think of those who need our charity, and keep them in mind when we do the mitzvah of matanot la’evyonim. Think of someone who might not receive mishloach manot from anyone else, and go out of your way to give to them. Not only will you be giving to others, they will be giving you the gift of giving.
Purim sameach!