B"H

Thursday, Adar2 7, 5782 / March 10, 2022

Purim will be celebrated in one week – Wednesday night, March 16 & Thursday, March 17. The Megilah is read Wednesday night and again on Thursday. There are five mitzvot associated with Purim, One of them is the reading of the Megilah – called, Megilat Esther – Scroll of Esther.

Q.  Why is the Megilah spread out in a few layers during the reading, rather than rolled like a Torah?"

A.  Queen Esther and Mordechai refer to the Megilah as "Igeret," the "letter". Thus, we fold the Megilah to look like a "letter."

Q.   Why do we make noise when Haman's name is mentioned in the Megilah?

A.   Haman descended from Amalek, who was the first nation to wage war against the Jewish people as they left Egypt. The Torah tells us that we must "erase the remembrance of Amalek".  For this reason, when Haman’s name is mentioned, we "erase" his name by making noise thus blocking out his name. 

There was an ancient custom where Haman's name was written upon two sticks.  Every time Haman was mentioned, people would bang the sticks together until his name was erased!

Today, the 7th of Adar II, is the birthday and yartzeit (day of passing) of Moshe Rabeinu (Moses) - the great leader of the Jewish people.  Moshe was born in Egypt on the 7th of Adar in the Hebrew year, 2368 and passed away on the 7th of Adar 120 years later in the year 2488.

Moshe led the Jewish people out of Egypt, split The Sea for them, brought them to Mount Sinai to receive the Torah and led the people of Israel through their forty-year journey in the wilderness of Sinai.

No other Jewish leader attained the greatness of Moshe; as the Torah says, "Never again has there arisen in Israel a prophet in Israel like Moshe, whom the L-rd knew face to face."

Yet, at the same time, the Torah tells us, "Moshe was the most humble person from all the people upon the face of the earth!"

Greatness and humility go hand in hand.  Just as Moshe's greatness was more than anyone else's, his humility was also at a level not attained by anyone else. 

Moshe passed away in the Sinai desert at the age of 120 and was buried there with the people whom he led out of Egypt. Moshe’s brother and sister, Aaron and Miriam, were also buried there.

Moshe's leadership didn't end at the time of his passing.  Part of his spirit is within every Jew in every generation.   May his memory be a blessing for all of Israel. Amen.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Friday, Adar2 8, 5782 / March 11, 2022

This Shabbat we read Parshat Vayikra, beginning the third Book of the Torah – the book of Leviticus.

The Parsha speaks about the various sacrifices brought upon the altar in the Mishkan-Tabernacle.

Being that this is the Shabbat before Purim, we also read from a second Torah about the story of Amalek. The reading in the second Torah begins with the word, Zachor- Remember. This Shabbat is called "Shabbat Zachor," because the special reading begins with the word “Zachor” - ”Remember”.

Parshat Zachor states, "Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt; He met you on the way and cut down all the weak trailing behind you while you were weary and exhausted.  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!"

The reason we read Parshat Zachor before Purim is because Haman, who tried to annihilate the Jewish people, which resulted in the miracle of Purim, was a direct descendant of Amalek.

Q.  Many other nations waged war against the Jewish people, why is the nation of Amalek singled out to the extent that we are commanded to erase the memory of Amalek?

A.  Amalek was the first nation to wage war against the Jewish people after the Exodus.  All subsequent wars and incitement against the Jewish people are rooted and a continuation of the war which Amalek began.  We read this portion before Purim so that we shall never forget what Amalek did. 

It also serves as a reminder that just as G-d saved us from Amalek and Haman, so too, will He protect us against those who, openly or through various disguises, in every generation, try to spread hate against the Jewish people.

Q.  One of the mitzvot we perform on Purim is sending gifts of food to friends, called - "Shalach Manot."  What is the reason for this mitzvah?

A.  One reason that G-d allowed Haman's terrible decree to take place was because Jews participated and ate non-kosher food at King Achashverosh's party. By exchanging kosher food items on Purim, we rectify this fault.

Another reason: Sending Shalach Manot-gifts on Purim, is an expression of friendship and unity. We thank G-d for the great miracle of Purim in which our lives were saved by showing our Father-in-Heaven, that we are united and care for each other. There is no greater pleasure for a father than to see his children caring for each other.

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 5:36 / Shabbat ends: 6:41

B"H

Monday, Adar2 11, 5782 / March 14, 2022

We are now in the week of Purim which will be celebrated Wednesday night, March 16 & Thursday, March 17.

The following five mitzvot are associated with Purim:

1) Megilat Esther.  Purim night, (Wednesday night, March 16), and again on Thursday, (March 17), we are obligated to hear the reading of the Megilat Esther, in which the miracle of Purim is recorded.

It is preferable to hear the Megilah reading in Shul, for it is better to have the Megilah read for a greater amount of people, as it brings greater honor to G-d for His performance of the miracle. However, if one cannot participate in the congregational service, one still has the obligation to hear the reading of the Megilah. In that case arrangements should be made for a private reading.

The Megilah should be read from a kosher Megilah-scroll.

2)  Reciting the Al HaNisim.  Al Hanisim is a prayer in which we thank G-d for the miracle of Purim.  We recite it on Purim during the three Amidah prayers, (evening, morning and afternoon) and in the Grace-after-Meals.

3)  Mishloach Manot - sending gifts.  On Purim day (Thursday), we send gifts of ready-to-eat food (not something which needs cooking).  The minimum requirement is to send at least two kinds of foods to at least one person.  However, it is customary to send to more than just one friend.

4)  Matanot LaEvyonim - gifts to the poor.   On Purim day (Thursday), we must give charity to at least two needy people. 

Although one fulfills the mitzvah when giving only to two poor people, our sages say that on Purim it is preferable to give a donation to, "whoever stretches out their hand." Thus, it is customary that on Purim we distribute more charity than usual.

5)  Seudat Purim - Purim meal.  During the day of Purim (Thursday) we eat a sumptuous and festive meal as befitting the celebration of this great miracle.

Purim is the most joyful holiday. As a result, we go a bit over the top in celebrating and expressing our happiness.  During Purim it is a mitzvah to have a L’chayim or two…

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, when Esther revealed to the king that she was Jewish and that Haman’s decree against the Jewish people would kill her together with her people. Since wine played a major role in the miracle of Purim, we drink a few L’chayims on Purim.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY