INSIGHTS
LETTERS OF THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE
Why Do Kids Love Band-Aids?
by Aron Moss
Question: Random question: why is it that all kids love getting Band-Aids? Even when there doesn't seem to be any visible injury, my kids ask for a bandage and say it feels better immediately when it's put on. Why is this?
Response: Band-Aids are not about Band-Aids. They are about reassurance.
Your kid is saying, "I fell over. I hurt myself. Am I going to be ok? Will I get over this? Will I ever get better? And most importantly, do you still love me after I made a mistake?"
The bandage is a symbol that represents fixing up my blunder, repairing my imperfection, healing my hurt. When you give a Band-Aid you are saying that all will be fine, I still love you. You can sometimes achieve the same effect just by kissing the sore better, or giving a loving hug. The Band-Aid is just a hug in miniature.
That's why we have the festival of Sukkos right after Yom Kippur. We spent a day fasting and praying for forgiveness for all of our mistakes. After that, we may feel a little bruised. So we are invited into the Sukkah. The walls of the Sukkah exude holiness, warmth and love. As we sit in the Sukkah, we experience a divine hug.
We have got up from our fall, and as we heal our wounds, G-d embraces us and tells us that, despite our mistakes, or maybe even because of them, we are loved. Because there's no one as lovable as a sweet child showing their parent their sore finger, asking for a hug, a kiss, and a Band-Aid.
