Monday, June 12, 2017

minhag - How does laughing confuse the Satan?


Sefardim have a practice (custom?) to laugh during habdalah. When I asked the reason for this practice I was told that it was "to confound the satan". I assume it has something to do with Eliyahu/Moshiach coming motzei shabbos (hence all the malave malka songs about eliyahu) and "az yimaleh s'chok pinu". My question is as follows:



  1. What does "confuse the satan" really mean? If Eliyahu comes the Satan should see it; if not, not.

  2. What is accomplished for us by confusing him? Does that mean he doesn't do his job? If so, when does he resume being Satan?

  3. Why don't we laugh at other times that are auspicious for the coming of Moshiach?


(See this related question.)




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