B"H

Tuesday, Adar2- 16, 5784 / March 26, 2024

Now, after Purim we are heading to the holiday of Pesach (Passover), which is one month after Purim.

There is a connection between Purim and the holiday of Pesach. The Talmud says, “We connect the redemption of Purim, when we were liberated from Haman to the redemption of Pesach, when we were liberated from the Egyptians.” This is why, in a leap year, like this year, when there are two months of Adar, we celebrate Purim in the second Adar, so that Purim should be close to Pesach.

Pesach, this year, will begin Monday night, April 22. Pesach is not just another holiday in the Jewish calendar. It is the root and basis of all our holidays.

In the Shabbat and holiday Kiddush we always mention the redemption from Egypt because Pesach, when we celebrate our liberation from Egypt, is the foundation of all holidays.

Remembering the Exodus is a daily mitzvah. The Torah commands, “You shall remember the day you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life (Deut. 16:3).

On Pesach we attained our freedom and became a nation. The purpose of the liberation from Egypt was to bring us to Mount Sinai, so that we can get the Torah.

Even the mitzvah of resting on Shabbat as stated in the Second Tablets, is connected to the Exodus and our liberation from Egypt. "Remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt and the L-rd your G-d brought you out from there with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm; therefore, the L-rd your G-d commanded you to keep the Shabbat day" (Deut. 5:15).

According to our sages, thirty days before each of the three festive holidays we should begin studying and reviewing the laws and customs of that holiday. This is especially true for Pesach as there are so many laws and customs associated with Pesach.  It is important to understand the reasons for the many mitzvot and customs we do at the Seder.

The main focus of the Seder are the children. Their participation in the Seder is very important. We encourage them to ask questions while we should be prepared with the answers. Our attitude at the Seder is very important as this will reflect on how our children will view the importance of the Seder.

The Pesach holiday is seven days in Israel and eight days in the Diaspora. Pesach celebrates two great miracles. The first days of Pesach we celebrate the miracle of the Exodus, when Jews were freed from bondage after being in Egypt for 210 years. The last days of Pesach celebrate the miracle of the parting of the sea through which the Jewish people crossed while the Egyptians drowned.

Between now and Pesach, we will, G-d willing, try to cover as much as possible about Pesach.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL, HAPPY DAY & HAPPY CHODESH/MONTH

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

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

B"H

Friday, Adar2- 12, 5784 / March 22, 2024

This Shabbat two Torahs are taken out of the ark.  In the first Torah we read the portion of the week, Parshat Vayikra. With this Parsha we begin the third book of the Torah, Leviticus. In the second Torah we read the special Torah reading for the Shabbat before Purim, Parshat Zachor. It is a special mitzvah to hear this Torah reading this Shabbat.

Q.Why do we read Parshat Zachor on the Shabbat before Purim?

A.In Parshat Zachor the Torah states, "Remember what Amalek did to you on the way, as you departed from Egypt.  How he encountered you on the way and cut down the weaklings trailing behind you, while you were faint and exhausted and he did not fear G-d.. You are to erase the memory of Amalek.. Do not forget."

Although the people of Israel have suffered at the hands of many nations, the nation of Amalek stands out, for theywere the first to attack the nation of Israel after their Exodus.

Although, Amalek was defeated, he managed to instill fear in the people of Israel. He dispelled the fear that the other nations had of the Jewish people after the Exodus. Amalek's act had a great everlasting damaging effect.  As a result, we are commanded to remember his treachery every day.

Our sages explain this with a parable: A tub of water was boiling hot and everyone was afraid to get into it, out of fear of getting burned. One person was stupid enough to jump into the water. Although he got burnt, it diminished everyone's fear 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 it and trembled; pangs of fear gripped the inhabitants of Phlishtim; the chieftains of Edom were terrified; the mighty men of Moab were panic-stricken…" (Exodus 15).

Amalek, like the man who jumped into the hot tub, minimizing its blistering effect, did exactly the same. His action caused the other nations to eventually wage war against Israel. Haman was a direct descendant of Amalek. Thus, we read Parshat Zachor and the commandment to erase the memory of Amalek on the Shabbat before Purim, because it applies also to Haman.

Purim is Saturday night and Sunday. Remember to perform the 5 mitzvot associated with Purim.

1) Listening to the Megillah reading Saturday night & Sunday morning.

2) Reciting the Al HaNisim in the prayers and in the Grace-after-meal.

3) Mishloach Manot – Sending gifts on Purim day of two ready-to-eat foods to a friend.

4) Matanot LaEvyonim – Sending gifts or charity on Purim day, to at least two needy people.

5) Seudat Purim - Purim meal. On Purim day we eat a festive meal befitting the celebration of Purim.

 SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 6:52 / Shabbat ends: 7:56

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

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

B"H

Thursday, Adar2- 11, 5784 / March 21, 2024

Today (Thursday) is a fast day, called, "Taanit Esther" - "Fast of Esther."

Usually, the Fast of Esther is the day before Purim. However, this year being that Purim is on Sunday and on Shabbat, the day before Purim, it is prohibited to fast, so we fast the Thursday before.

There are various opinions as to the origin of this fast.  In the Megillah we read that before approaching the King on behalf of her people, Esther tells Mordechai to proclaim a three day fast for all Jews in the capital city, Shushan.  That fast took place during the holiday of Pesach (Passover) in the month of Nissan.  Being that we refrain from fasting during Nissan, we commemorate Esther's fast before Purim.

Another opinion is that the Megillah tells us that on the 13th of Adar the Jewish people battled their enemies.  Traditionally, when Jews had to fight a war, they would fast and pray to G-d for His help.  Taanit Esther, recalls the fast and prayers of the Jewish people at the time of Mordechai and Esther.

Today (Thursday), before the Mincha prayer, we observe the mitzvah of, "Machtzit HaShekel," giving the "half Shekel."  We give three half-dollar coins (or whichever coin is half of the local currency). The money is then distributed to charity. Every synagogue usually has a special plate or box for this purpose. Three half dollars are put out and each one picks them up (some pick them up three times) and then leaves a contribution for the charity.

Being that it is a fast day, we also read from the Torah at the Mincha service.

Q. Why, when Purim falls on Sunday, do we fast on Thursday not on Friday?

A. We do not fast on Fridays so as not to enter the holy day of Shabbat after a fast. It is not respectful for the holy day of Shabbat to enter it in a state of weakness. Thus, instead of fasting on Friday, we fast on Thursday.

Q. Can Purim fall on Shabbat?

A. No. Our sages set the calendar in such a way that Purim will not fall on Shabbat so as not to restrict us from being able to perform the special mitzvot of Purim, such as the reading of the Megillah and the distribution of gifts (Mishloach Manot) and giving charity to the poor.

Q. Why is there so much noise making when mentioning Haman’s name in the Megillah?

A. The Torah commands us to “Erase the remembrance of Amalek.” Haman, who plotted to kill all the Jews, descended from Amalek. Thus, when mentioning Haman’s name, we make noise to symbolize erasing the name of Amalek. May G-d erase the names of the present-day Amaleks. Amen.

 HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL, HAPPY DAY & HAPPY CHODESH/MONTH

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

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