The Family Zemiros

Joyous occasions are often a person’s most moving and meaningful moments: marriage, bar mitzvah, bris milah, an anniversary of one of life’s milestones, a commemoration of a longed-for accomplishment, a Sabbath meal or a festival celebration. Such are the times when the cup of happiness runs over and bonds of blood and fellowship become reknotted and strengthened.

More so than most events in life, such occasions can be robbed of the significance they deserve. Ideally they should be infused with a meaning that transcends the menu and program. Of course, the occasion may call for a sumptuous meal, speeches, guests, music. But it deserves a perspective as well – is the banquet only a means to enhance and beautify the observance of the event, or does one accomplish things and observe holy days only as an excuse to arrange a banquet? Should one go away with memories of only the menu, the witticisms, and the musical selections; or should one leave the table inspired by the new life begun with the wedding, the accumulated accomplishment celebrated by the banquet, or the spiritual legacy the Sabbath or festival imparts to those who observe it?