From my Table: Mishloach Manos

As Adar sinks in, I’m sure it will become more real, but for now, it’s almost a coincidence that we’re putting out the mishloach manos issue and Purim is actually around the corner. It’s like a pseudo-reality.

Meanwhile, as I write this, my inbox is buzzing with emails rushing me to shop for summer clothes, and Hurry, it’s all almost gone! And I’m realizing that this is also a brand of pseudo-

reality. Is planning mishloach manos in October any different from shopping for kids’ clothes for Pesach (er, Shavuos, rather) in January? It doesn’t feel that much like prep for the upcoming Yom Tov but rather another frenzied item to cross off your to-do list.

I don’t want to pass judgment on whether it’s right or wrong, a welcome reality or a flawed system, but maybe it’s a blessing in disguise when we have the materialistic prep out of the way with plenty of time left. It makes room for us to immerse ourselves in the festivities of the Yom Tov that spark connection — and something deeper.