Our first Sunday Talmud 4-week theme for Spring 2026 is “Holy Folly” and our first piece of Talmud we studied on this theme (from Ketubot 17a) was as the snowfall was already underway with anticipation of a big snowfall (forecast is 18″ plus). So how does Holy-Folly tie into the snow?
So what is Holy-Folly?
Basi L’Gani, the Chassidic discourse for Yud-Shevat explains that there’s two types of crazy: negative crazy that’s irrational and disturbing, but there’s also a good kind of crazy, like they say: crazy in love, or X would go crazy over that. Some folly or foolishness is just foolish and wasteful. That’s the folly/foolishness that that Maamar calls below reason/rationale. But there’s a higher form of folly that goes above and beyond reason, that transcends rationale, that can’t be explained with logic. Basi L’Gani celebrates a Holy-Folly that is a inexplicable dedication and commitment that goes above the norm, beyond the expected.
One of the classic sources Basi L’Gani brings to support this idea is Talmud Ketubot 17a where it speaks of two rabbis who danced with myrtle twigs at weddings. Other rabbis thought it was demeaning, disrespectful, inappropriate for rabbinic dignity. But they learned that this frivolous and seeming undignified behavior done in honor of a bride was actually a very noble and uplifting act. The Talmud uses 3 words to express this, all a play on words, all speaking to the great virtue of going above and beyond, and giving it your all, even if its a loss of personal dignity and taking yourself a little less seriously.
Our Sunday Talmud class also quoted the Rambam’s Mishne Torah at the close of the laws of Lulav where Rambam extols the uninhibited joy of a mitzvah, like King David’s unbridled joy in dancing and frolicking before the Ark. Even kings can’t take themselves too seriously before G-d. Going all out can be a much-recommended Holy Folly!
That brings us to the snow:
Adults don’t usually like snow. They see snow – they think shoveling, slick roadways, parking issues, getting their feet wet. They often think how snow makes them stuck or keeps them from venturing out. All valid concerns and perfectly understandable. Children usually have a totally different approach: They see snow as fun, as delightful, as a wonderful winter wonderland to frolic in and enjoy! The Holy-Folly vibes are reflected in the sparkly, joyous, that eager enthusiasm, the red-cheeked & wide-eyed approach many children have to a fresh fluffy (or heavy) snowfall.