Image: Jerry Seinfeld praying at the Western Wall with his family
In a recent interview, comedian Jerry Seinfeld reaffirmed his support for Israel and the Jewish people while reflecting on the connection between Jewish identity and humor. He described making people laugh as one of the great Jewish traditions, helping explain why so many Jewish comedians have emerged throughout history. Through centuries of hardship and persecution, he observed, humor has been one of the ways Jews have found the strength to endure.
There is certainly truth to that. The remarkable number of Jewish comedians throughout history is a testament to the role humor has played in helping our people endure. But the Jewish connection to laughter goes much deeper than coping with hardship. In fact, laughter lies at the very heart of Judaism.
Two Comedians in the Marketplace
The Talmud (Ta’anit 22a) tells the story of Rabbi Beroka of Bei Chozai, who would often visit the marketplace of Bei Lefet. There, Elijah the Prophet would appear to him.
One day, Rabbi Beroka asked Elijah, “Is there anyone in this marketplace who is destined for a share in the World to Come?”
“No,” Elijah replied.
A short while later, two men entered the marketplace. Elijah pointed them out and said, “Those two are destined for the World to Come.”
Rabbi Beroka approached them and asked, “What do you do?”
“We are comedians,” they answered. “We cheer up people who are sad. And whenever we see two people quarreling, we try to make peace between them.”
Of everyone in that crowded marketplace, the two people singled out for eternal reward were the ones who made others laugh.
A Child Named Laughter
In this week’s Torah portion Vayeira, we learn about the first child born to a Jewish family, the son of Abraham and Sarah, named Yitzchak (Isaac), which means "he will laugh."
Why give such an unusual name to a child destined to become one of the great spiritual pillars of the Jewish people?
To answer, consider where laughter comes from. Good news makes us happy. But happiness spills over into laughter only when what happens goes beyond every expectation, when we are met with the unpredictable.
The Torah describes Sarah’s reaction to the birth of her son:
“And Sarah said, ‘G-d has made joy for me; whoever hears will rejoice over me.’ And she said, ‘Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children, for I have borne a son to his old age!’” (Genesis 21:6–7)
For Sarah, giving birth in her old age was far more than a happy event. It was something she could never have imagined. Every time she held her son, she was reminded of the incredible miracle that had taken place. That is why she named him Yitzchak—Laughter.
But Sarah’s choice of name carried a much greater message. Just as Isaac’s birth defied all expectations, so too would the future of his descendants. The Jewish people would survive against all odds, repeatedly defying predictions of their demise. Their mission would be to bring about unexpected transformation, finding goodness and holiness even in the most unlikely places. To transform this physical world into a home for G-d.
Digging Wells
This idea became a central theme in Isaac’s life. The Torah tells us relatively little about him, yet devotes considerable attention to one particular activity: his digging of wells.
The Kabbalists explain that Isaac’s approach was different from that of his father, Abraham.
Abraham brought the water to the people. He was a gifted teacher and communicator who reached out to others with warmth and generosity, inspiring them through his message of G-d and morality.
Isaac, by contrast, helped people discover the wellspring within themselves. Rather than simply bringing them the water, he taught them how to uncover it. Where Abraham influenced through sharing and enlightening, Isaac emphasized inner work and discipline. He empowered others to dig beneath the surface, clear away the barriers, and discover the truth within themselves.
As descendants of our Patriarchs and Matriarchs, we inherit their unique qualities. From Isaac, we inherit the ability to remain joyful even in the face of great challenges. We learn to expect the unexpected and recognize the Divine potential within ourselves and those around us. We also inherit the ability to create laughter by digging beneath the surface, discovering the holiness in every person and the goodness within every experience.
The Anatomy of a Joke
What makes a joke truly funny? Often, it is the unexpected collision of two seemingly opposite realities.
The best jokes lead us in one direction, only to surprise us with a completely unexpected punch line. The comedian's skill lies in taking something ordinary and revealing an extraordinary perspective.
A good sense of humor is, in essence, the ability to see the world differently—to recognize possibilities where others see none.
The Greatest Joke of All
What, then, is the greatest surprise in the world?
The ability of a human being to transcend his or her own nature.
By nature, we are self-centered. Our thoughts, words, and desires are often driven by self-preservation and personal gratification. Ego and selfishness come naturally.
But when a person rises above those instincts and chooses a higher purpose, something extraordinary happens. A human being defies his or her own nature. That is the greatest surprise of all.
When an angel acts with holiness, it is expected. That is its nature. But when a person, weighed down by material pressures and everyday temptations, chooses to do a mitzvah, give hard-earned money to charity, or observe Shabbat, it is anything but predictable.
That moment of transformation brings the Creator profound delight.
Why G-d Created the World
Why would a perfect G-d create an imperfect world? Why create a physical world filled with challenges in the first place?
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, the founder of Chabad, offers a striking insight: G-d desired laughter.
The purpose of creation was not simply to have holy beings doing holy things. It was to have ordinary, imperfect human beings choose holiness. G-d created a world in which we could transform our natural instincts, elevate the physical, and turn the ordinary into something sacred.
That is the ultimate surprise: taking something seemingly distant from holiness and revealing the G-dliness within it.
Laughter in the Future Tense
This is why the first Jewish child was named Yitzchak. His name captures the essence of Judaism: the belief that every human being has the ability to rise above his or her nature and become something greater.
And notice that his name is in the future tense: “He will laugh.”
A good joke makes us laugh only after we hear the punch line. Until then, the story may seem confusing or even contradictory. Only at the end do we understand how all the pieces fit together.
Life is much the same. We experience challenges, setbacks, and moments when events seem impossible to understand. But the Jewish perspective teaches us that there is a greater picture, one that we cannot always see in the moment.
In the future, with the coming of Moshiach, we will finally understand the deeper meaning behind history and the extraordinary purpose behind our struggles. Then, as King David prophesied in Psalms:
“Then our mouths will be filled with laughter.” (Psalms 126:2)
May we merit to experience that laughter very soon.
