B"H
Monday, Adar 10, 5785 / March 10, 2025
Purim is this Thursday night, March 13 & Friday March 14.
This past Shabbat, because it was the Shabbat before Purim, and Haman who wanted to have the entire Jewish nation killed was a descendant of Amalek, we read Parshat Zachor, in which G-d commanded the Jewish people to wipe out and erase the memory of Amalek.
The Torah states: "Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt; how he met you on the way and cut down all the weak trailing behind you while you were weary and exhausted, and he did not fear G-d. Therefore, when the L-rd your G-d will relieve you of all your enemies around you, in the land which the L-rd your G-d gives you as a heritage, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from beneath the heaven. Do not forget!"
Q.Why is the nation of Amalek singled out in the Torah when there were many other nations who waged war against the people of Israel?
A.Our sages explain this with a parable: A tub of water was so hot; everyone was too terrified to go into the tub out of fear of getting burnt. Then one person decided to jump into the water. Although he got badly burnt, it diminished the fear of all other people and eventually they, too, tried to enter the tub.
The same was with Amalek. The Torah tells us that when G-d took the children of Israel out of Egypt, "The nations heard about it and trembled; pangs of fear gripped the inhabitants of Phlistia; the chieftains of Edom were terrified; the mighty men of Moab were panic-stricken; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.." (Exodus 15).
However, Amalek, like the man who jumped into the hot tub, was the first nation to wage war against the people of Israel after their Exodus. Although they lost the war and were defeated, the fear of the other nation was gone. All subsequent wars are, in a sense, a result of Amalek's war. This is why Amalek is singled out.
Q. What is the reason for sending gifts of foods (Mishloach Manot) to each other on Purim?
A.According to the Talmud, G-d allowed Haman's terrible decree to take place because Jews participated at King Achashverosh's party, where non-kosher food was served. By exchanging kosher food items, we symbolically rectify this fault.
Q. Why is it customary to drink "L'chayim" on Purim?
A. The Megilah tells us that the miracle of Purim was a result of banquets of wine. In the Megilah we read that Haman's downfall came about at a wine party. There, Esther revealed to the king that she was Jewish, and that Haman wanted to kill her and her people. Since wine played a major role in the miracle of Purim, we celebrate it by drinking a L’chayim or two (or more...) on Purim.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW