Timing is everything. In comedy, as well as in Torah study. In the Talmud (Taanis 22a) class I teach each morning we came upon a very fascinating story today. Rav Broka would frequently meet Eliyahu HaNavi in the market place of Left. One day he asked Eliyahu if there was anyone present who was a member of the World to Come. Initially, Eliyahu answered in the negative. After a few minutes he pointed out one person and then later he pointed out two others.
Who were these two? They were brothers who explained to Rav Broka that when they saw people who were depressed they would share with them words of bidichusa, and when they saw people who were quarreling, they would do everything they could to make peace between the people.
The meaning of the word bidichusa is a bit unclear to me. Conventionally, it is understood to mean humor; they were comedians and used humor to cheer up people who were depressed. From several other places where bidichusa is used in the Talmud, I question if that is the correct, or sole meaning of the word. For now, let us assume that it means humor.
An attendee at the class questioned why it was that Eliyahu initially could not find anyone who was going to the World to Come. Doesn't the Talmud teach elsewhere that all Jews have a portion in the World to Come? I explained that many of the commentators explain that he was looking for someone who was living in the World to Come while still being in this world. The World to Come is a state in which people will experience connection to God constantly. Rav Broka was seeking someone who was experience that state of connection while living in this world as well. Eliyahu told him that these two comedic brothers had that level of connection.
I was left with a question. Does comedy really cure depression? Yes, it can make people laugh. It can make people forget about their suffering temporarily, but does it really cure them of their depression? Furthermore, how does humor end a quarrel between two people?
Several commentators explain that the reason for depression is that people are lacking a sense of purpose in life. The goal of these two brothers, these badchanim, was to educate people in how to find meaning in their lives. They themselves had a sense of purpose that came from their spiritual connection. They were living in the World to Come in this world and always felt a sense of closeness to God. They shared their sense of purpose with others. They guided others to find that sense of purpose themselves. Eventually, they were cured of their depression.
Similarly, people who are truly connected to God are not apt to be quarreling with each other, they have more important goals in life. By educating people who were fighting, the brothers helped them move from the state of dispute to one of peace.
One of those present immediately referenced yesterday's suicide by Robin Williams. He pointed out that humor, and even the ability to make others laugh, doesn't make a person happy. Unless a person can dig deeper and find that sense of purpose in life, sadly, the depression will remain.
I would encourage each person to find a sense of purpose in their own lives, and seek out those who can direct them, if necessary. And for those who have found a purpose, turn to those who are seeking and help them along the path.
I would like to add that I am well aware that depression can have many different causes. I do not mean to be oversimplifying the difficulty of depression and offering a panacea. The points I am making here are valid in certain cases, not in others.
Who were these two? They were brothers who explained to Rav Broka that when they saw people who were depressed they would share with them words of bidichusa, and when they saw people who were quarreling, they would do everything they could to make peace between the people.
The meaning of the word bidichusa is a bit unclear to me. Conventionally, it is understood to mean humor; they were comedians and used humor to cheer up people who were depressed. From several other places where bidichusa is used in the Talmud, I question if that is the correct, or sole meaning of the word. For now, let us assume that it means humor.
An attendee at the class questioned why it was that Eliyahu initially could not find anyone who was going to the World to Come. Doesn't the Talmud teach elsewhere that all Jews have a portion in the World to Come? I explained that many of the commentators explain that he was looking for someone who was living in the World to Come while still being in this world. The World to Come is a state in which people will experience connection to God constantly. Rav Broka was seeking someone who was experience that state of connection while living in this world as well. Eliyahu told him that these two comedic brothers had that level of connection.
I was left with a question. Does comedy really cure depression? Yes, it can make people laugh. It can make people forget about their suffering temporarily, but does it really cure them of their depression? Furthermore, how does humor end a quarrel between two people?Several commentators explain that the reason for depression is that people are lacking a sense of purpose in life. The goal of these two brothers, these badchanim, was to educate people in how to find meaning in their lives. They themselves had a sense of purpose that came from their spiritual connection. They were living in the World to Come in this world and always felt a sense of closeness to God. They shared their sense of purpose with others. They guided others to find that sense of purpose themselves. Eventually, they were cured of their depression.
Similarly, people who are truly connected to God are not apt to be quarreling with each other, they have more important goals in life. By educating people who were fighting, the brothers helped them move from the state of dispute to one of peace.
One of those present immediately referenced yesterday's suicide by Robin Williams. He pointed out that humor, and even the ability to make others laugh, doesn't make a person happy. Unless a person can dig deeper and find that sense of purpose in life, sadly, the depression will remain.
I would encourage each person to find a sense of purpose in their own lives, and seek out those who can direct them, if necessary. And for those who have found a purpose, turn to those who are seeking and help them along the path.
I would like to add that I am well aware that depression can have many different causes. I do not mean to be oversimplifying the difficulty of depression and offering a panacea. The points I am making here are valid in certain cases, not in others.
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