response to if we should be Sameach in Adar

If you read my blog recently, you know about the massacre in Jerusalem where a Palestinian gunman killed 8 yeshiva students and wounded 9 others. Someone posted a question of if we should be happy and rejoice on Purim, which is less than two weeks away.

Here is my response.

Efrem,
You are right in the sense that we need to daven and learn and get closer to Hashem, especially in troubling and catastrophic times. However, we should still celebrate Purim, maybe just a bit more muted.Perhaps one less shot of schnapps than normal.Our holidays are different from the Non-Jews in that we try to include all people. On Purim, we have Matanot L'Evyonim. On the Shalosh Regalim, we are commanded to invite the less fortunate to our homes.Perhaps the events of the last couple of weeks are a reminder to us that reaching out to our fellow Jews is what is needed.
Just my thoughts,
JMN