B"H

Monday, 11 Adar 2, 5776 / March 21, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR

There is no other holiday in the Jewish calendar as festive as Purim. One only has to go out this Thursday, March 24, on the streets of any religious neighborhood in Israel, USA, Canada, France, England, Australia, etc. and see the tremendous joy and celebrations going on.

There is no other Jewish holiday where children (and some adults) get dressed up in all sorts of costumes to celebrate the joyous spirit of the Purim holiday.

Q.What is the reason for the custom of wearing a costume and disguising oneself on Purim?   

A.The heroine of the miracle of Purim and after whom the Megilah was named, was Queen Esther. Although the miracle of Purim happened close to a thousand years after the writing of the Torah, yet, our sages tell us that the names of the people mentioned in the story of Purim (Esther, Mordechai, Haman) are implied in the Torah. 

Esther’s name is hinted in the verse in which G-d says: “Haster astir ponai“ - I will hide My face from you..” (Deuteronomy 31:18).

Being that the words in the Torah which allude to Esther are the words, Haster astir ponai, which mean, “I will hide My face,” thus, it is customary, especially for children, to “hide their face” and put on disguises on Purim.

Another very interesting reason how putting on a disguise on Purim came about: It is a mitzvah to give to the poor more charity than usual on the day of Purim. The sages were worried that there may be poor people who would be embarrassed to go out and ask for charity. To avoid this problem, many put on disguises on Purim, so that the poor can do the same and won’t be embarrassed.

Here is one more reason: The Megilah tells us that in the beginning Queen Esther hid her identity from the King and didn’t tell him that she was Jewish. Only after Haman made his decree against the Jewish people, did Esther reveal her identity to the King. The king was furious with Haman for wanting to kill his queen, who was Jewish. This caught Haman off guard and contributed to his downfall and the great miracle of Purim.

In commemoration to the fact that Esther hid her identity, which played a big role in the miracle, it became customary to hide one’s identity by disguising their faces and appearance on Purim.

Purim, which took place in Persia, commemorates one of the greatest miracles in Jewish history when we were saved from total annihilation. Over two thousand five hundred years have gone by since the story of Purim, but very little has changed in the Persia-Iran of today. They still want to wipe us out…

Purim reminds us that our existence has always been a miracle and the miracle continues. Am Yisrael Chai – the Jewish people will live on forever!

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Thursday, 7 Adar 2, 5776 / March 17, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR

Today is the 7^th day in the month of Adar.  It is an important day in the Hebrew calendar, as on this day, Moshe, our great leader and redeemer from Egypt, was born and on this day, 120 years later, he passed away.

Moshe was born in Egypt in the year, 2368, and passed away in the year 2488. He was buried in the Sinai desert, where about 600,000 Jews were also buried. The Torah tells us that no human was present when he passed away. G-d Himself attended to his burial and no one knows the exact spot where he was buried.

Moshe was from the Tribe of Levi. His wife was Tziporah. They had two sons: Gershom and Eliezer.

The Torah tells us that, at the time of his death, his strength had not weakened and his eyesight had not dimmed even though he was 120 years old.

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 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 like Moshe, whom the L-rd made known face to face."

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

Moshe's greatness is also expressed in his humility.  As the Torah says, "Moshe was the most humble person upon the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3).  Indeed, true greatness

Moshe is called, “The Father of all the prophets.” Because no other prophet attained Moshe's level. 

One of the Thirteen Principles of Faith, according to Maimonides is: “I firmly believe that the prophecy of Moshe our teacher, may he rest in peace, was true, that He was the greatest of the prophets, both of those who were before him and of those that followed him.”

One of the attributes that made Moshe so special was his love for every Jew. When the children of Israel sinned by worshipping the Golden Calf and G-d wanted to destroy them, Moshe said, "If You don't forgive the people of Israel, then erase me from Your Book (Torah) that you wrote..."

Moshe died on a Shabbat. His passing is described as his soul was taken through a G-dly kiss.

The Torah is at times called, "Torat Moshe" - the “Torah of Moshe,” as it was Moshe who wrote the Torah by Divine inspiration. May his memory be a blessing to all Israel. Amen.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Tuesday, 5, Adar 2, 5776 / March 15, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR

There are two Rabbinical holidays which we celebrate every year, Purim and Chanukah.

Chanukah is commemorated by the lighting of the Menorah and the reciting of Hallel for eight days during the morning service. Purim is commemorated through the reading of the Megilah, but Hallel is not recited on Purim.

There are five mitzvot associated with Purim:

1) To listen to the reading of the  Megilah. The Megilah, which relates the story of Purim, is read next Wednesday night (March 23) and again Thursday morning (March 24). One must hear each word of the Megilah.

2) Reciting the Al HaNisim.  Al HaNisim is a prayer in which we thank G-d for the miracle of Purim. We recite Al HaNisim during each of the three Amidah prayers and in the Grace-After-Meal on Purim.

3) Mishloach Manot - sending gifts.  On Purim day (Thursday), we send a gift of a minimum of two kinds of ready-to-eat foods to a friend. One can send to as many people as they wish, but the minimum requirement are two kinds of foods to one friend.

4) Matanot LaEvyonim - gifts to the poor. On Purim day we must give charity to at least two poor people. However, the more charity we distribute on Purim the more the mitzvah.

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. 

Q.Why is Purim celebrated through sending gifts?

A.Purim is a very joyous holiday. By exchanging gifts, we share the joy of Purim with others, especially those who may not be so fortunate as us. We make every effort to make them happy as well. This is also why it is a special mitzvah to distribute charity to the needy on Purim more than on other days.

Our sages say, “On Purim one should give anyone who puts out their hand.” In other words, we don’t judge how needy they are. We give without judgment.

When Haman wanted to impress upon King Achashveirosh to annihilate the Jewish people, he said, “There is one nation spread throughout your kingdom, who have their own laws and they do not obey the laws of the king..” It was actually the fact that Jews were “one nation” – caring for each other, which brought about their salvation.

Sending gifts and distributing charity is an expression of Jewish unity and friendship which so fittingly commemorates the miracle of Purim.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY