The Mitzvah Of Uplifting The Inner Eeyore

I am unashamedly a Winnie the Pooh fan. This week, though, I want to focus on Eeyore. We all have a little Eeyore in us, don’t we?

Jews, perhaps, could be considered a collective Eeyore.

Think about it. We’re supposed to be eternally melancholy, burdened with years upon years of oppression. We always have a big sigh to let out. A “but” on the tips of our tongues.

Parashat R’eih, kicks off with sprinklings of bitterness. G-d commands the Israelites to climb the hills of the Promised Land and pronounce both a blessing at Mount Gerizim and a curse at Mount Ebal.

Does there always have to be a negative weighing down the positive? Always a “but?”

I’m going to say no. In fact, tucked towards the back of the portion, we learn:

“You shall consume the tithes of your new grain and wine and oil, and firstlings of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the Eternal your G-d, in the place where G-d will choose to establish the divine name, so that you may learn to revere the Eternal your G-d forever. Should the distance be too great for you, should you be unable to transport them, because the place where the Eternal your G-d has chosen to establish the divine name is far from you… you may convert them to money.”

It goes on:

“…spend the money on anything you want… and you shall feast there, in the presence of the Eternal your G-d and rejoice with your household.” (Deuteronomy 14:23-26).

Read the above carefully. It’s a blessing. There’s no curse or big “but.” No sigh. There’s only the mitzvah of taking care of the strangers, the widows and the orphans so that they, too, can be happy.

As Eeyore says, “a little consideration, a little thought for others makes all the difference.”

It’s during this section if only briefly, that reverence for Hashem is equated with happiness, lightness and celebration – not obligations. We’re reminded that it’s a mitzvah to celebrate our culture, to share the happiness with our loved ones and those who need a little lightness, a little joy – to uplift the inner Eeyore.

Maimonides teaches that anybody that benefits without reciting a blessing is out of line. The same way we recite blessings for benefits we derive from this world, so should we recite blessings for each mitzvah before fulfilling it.

These aren’t limited to narrated blessings, but also the blessing we encounter every day. Despite daily obligations and burdens, there’s always something to be grateful for.

Deuteronomy 16:13-15 cites:

“…seven days you should hold a festival for G-d… and you will have nothing but joy.”

To be joyful, in this sense, is to rejoice – to do a series of actions. Come together with those around you; your family, your community, the vulnerable and the sad. Create a festival with the earlier-mentioned wine, grain and oil. Celebrate. Include those even on the margins of your community.

Maybe today’s the day you uplift someone’s inner Eeyore, or perhaps they turn your Eeyore day into one of joy. Either way, it’s a moment to be grateful for.

This week, take some time to lift someone’s spirits and be grateful for the opportunity to do so.