B"H

Friday, Adar2- 5, 5784 / March 15, 2024

The holiday of Purimwill be celebrated, G-d willing, Saturday night, March 23 and Sunday March 24.

Q.  Every Jewish holiday is celebrated on the same day everywhere.  For example: Pesach is on the 15th of Nissan; Rosh Hashana is on the first of Tishrei; Yom Kippur on the 10th of Tishrei etc.  However, Purim has two different dates.  For example: Throughout Israel, Purim is celebrated on the 14th of Adar, but in Jerusalem it is celebrated one day later, on the 15th of Adar. Why?

A.   The Megilah, which relates the story of Purim, tells us that the Jews fought against their enemies and were victorious.  The day on which they “rested,” they stopped fighting, was the day when the holiday of Purim is celebrated. Throughout the kingdom of Achashveirosh they fought on the 13th day of Adar and rested on the 14th day. Thus, the holiday of Purim is in general celebrated on the 14th of Adar.

However, in the capital city, Shushan, they continued battling also on the 14th day and rested on the 15th day of Adar. The city of Shushan was a walled city.  As a result, the rabbis established that in Shushan and in all cities which have or had a wall around them from the time of Joshua, should celebrate Purim on the 15th of Adar. Jerusalem is considered a walled city too.  Thus, in Jerusalem Purim is celebrated a day after the rest of Israel.  Also, the city of Shushan, in Iran, would celebrate Purim on the 15th of Adar.

Q.  Why isn’t G-d's name not mentioned even once in the Megillah?

A.  Our sages explain that the miracle of Purim differs from other holidays.  All other holidays celebrate miracles which clearly showed G-d's involvement. For example, at the Exodus, at the splitting of the sea, and at the Giving of the Torah, G-d's presence was obvious. These miracles defied the laws of nature.

The same was with Chanukah when the Jewish people defeated the much stronger Greek army. Their victory was clearly a miracle, as was the miracle of the oil. There was barely enough pure oil to keep the  Menorah lit for one day, yet, it lasted  eight days, defying the laws of nature.

 The miracle of Purim was a "hidden" miracle.  The laws of nature were not broken. In fact, one can even make a mistake and attribute the saving of the Jewish people on Purim to Queen Esther, who influenced the King.  Yet, looking closely and deeper into the story, we find G-d's hand throughout the story of Purim.  In keeping with the hidden nature of the miracle, G-d's name is hidden in the Megillah and not revealed.

This Shabbat we read Parshat Pekudei. With this Parsha we conclude the book of Shmot (Exodus).

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 6:43 / Shabbat ends: 7:46

UNITED WE STAND IN PRAYER FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL

& FOR THE WELFARE OF THE CAPTIVES. MAY THEY BE RELEASED NOW.