Holiday Reframe

Shavuot. Shavuos. Chag Ha'atzeres. This holiday has many names. (One of my clients referred to it as “the holiday of many cheesecakes”.)

Many years ago, I visited the Mir Yeshiva in Yerushalayim on Simchas Torah. Rather tired, I was more interested in watching the goings-on than celebrating with the Torah, but somehow found myself a reluctant participant. Practically swimming through the bouncing sea of bochurim, I passed a few revelers on the stage before the aron. One of them, sensing my dispassion, decided to take matters into his own hands. Sidelocks swaying, he locked eyes with me and shouted, “You just won a million dollars!!”

I just won a million dollars?

I...

I just won a million dollars!

It was a different night from that moment on.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Jewish nation: you just won the lottery. Enjoy your winnings.