Does God Have a Sense of Humor?
"If something exists in the world we inhabit, it is only because it parallels something in a loftier dimension."
By Andrew Rashkow
There is a Torah principle that everything in the physical world is a reflection of that which originates in a higher spiritual realm. As such, the Torah is not only a description of earthly phenomena but rather its root cause as well. Our sages encapsulate this idea by stating, “histalka d’oyrasa u’bara alma,” — God looked into the Torah and created the world. The antecedent is Torah and the world is its outcome.
This concept applies to both the physical and the metaphysical. If something exists in the world we inhabit, it is only because it parallels something in a loftier dimension. Therefore, since we laugh, God must also have a sense of humor.
In a world steadily being starved of truth, the unsatiated thirst for authenticity has left many scavenging under any unturned earth in a desperate attempt to discover an untainted well from which to drink. Some comedians have suggested that humor offers a final refuge of genuine expression in so far as laughter acts as a reliable and incorruptible litmus test. “You can’t fake funny,” goes their line of reasoning.
To better understand how dependable an indicator laughter is, it’s helpful to understand the nature of what makes us laugh. It’s no secret that the best punch lines are never anticipated. Much like the phantom jab with which Muhammad Ali dropped Sonny Liston, it’s the blow that comes out of nowhere that always packs the biggest punch. So, too, the rush accompanying a spontaneous outburst of laughter can feel like an electric wire suddenly jolting one into a fully present awareness of the moment. In either case, whether it’s a fight or a farce, the encounter with the unexpected generates the visceral impact. We are delighted or dazed by the twist we didn’t see coming.
Good comedians have perfected this particular art of misdirection. However, well-crafted jokes and amusing observations don’t require alignment with the North Star of truth in order to win over a crowd. A good set-up followed by an unforeseen comedic detour, delivered with the right timing and tone, are all the ingredients necessary for laughter — regardless of any allegiance or accuracy with facts or figures.
God’s humor, on the other hand, is intricately connected with revealing truth where it is least suspected to be. “Az yimalei schok pinu,” — Then our mouths will be full of laughter. King David in psalm 126 foretells a time when the superficial masquerade of this world will abruptly end, and the Divine plan, which has always been operative, will be made fully apparent to all. Then, it will become clear as day that despite the many declarations of certainty to the contrary, the nature of reality is very different than what has been most commonly accepted and widely promulgated.
At that moment, God, and all those waiting in anticipation, will share in the last laugh.
ANDREW RASHKOW is the CEO of Imbibe, Co-founder of Heaven’s Door Spirits, and a Jerusalem-based Teacher and Adviser.
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