What's going on? Masquerading in March rather than October?

I’d been living in Israel for six months, but still wasn't fully culturally acclimated. Now, I always have a problem figuring out the time difference between here and back in the States when phoning long distance, but who ever heard of a five-month time delay!

Yet here, in the middle of March, trick-or-treaters of every shape and size, were buzzing up and down my usually quiet Jerusalem neighborhood. Many of the costumes were absolutely incredible, and even some adults dressed up.

When I heard my doorbell ring, I panicked. I didn't have a drop of candy in the house to give. Who knew what tricks this crowd could play if I turned them away without a treat. I remember back home: "Trick or treat -- double treat to smell my feet." And what a nightmare the morning after could be, wiping away and cleaning up the damage done by kids I hadn't "treated" enough.

My heart rate tripled as I opened the door. Standing there, grinning from ear-to-ear, were five costumed pre-teens, each holding a fancier stash of goodies than I ever imagined.

"I'm really sorry, guys," I started to apologize. "I just don't have anything to give you." The kids gave each other a puzzled look and began to giggle.

"I really mean it kids," I pleaded. "I didn't know, please don't vandalize my house." By now, the kids were laughing out loud. Not angry, just amused.

Finally the biggest boy quieted the others and said, "Mr. Solomon, I don't think you understand. We didn't come to take anything from you. We came here to give you something." And with that, each handed me their beautifully wrapped gift baskets.

"What's the trick?" I asked, unbelievingly.

"There's no trick here, Mr. Solomon. Today is Purim," said a boy in a gorilla suit. "These are "shalach manos" baskets. We go around today and bring gifts of food to our friends and neighbors. Happy Purim!"

With that, they turned and left. Empty-handed and really happy.

And they were just the first of dozens of visitors who left my front porch filled with enough goodies to last me until next Hallow... er, Purim.

In the end, the 'trick' was on me. And the real 'treat' was seeing youth knowing that the true joy in life is not to take, but to give.