B"H

Thursday, Shevat 30, 5778 / February 15, 2018

Today is the first day Rosh Chodesh Adar.  We recite the Hallel during the morning service, read from the Torah and recite the Rosh Chodesh Musaf service.

Every Hebrew month has its special qualities. Our sages tell us that, “Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B'Simcha"  - "When the month of Adar enters, we add in joy and happiness." 

The expression "we add in happiness" implies that happiness is not unique to the month of Adar.  A Jew must always be happy. Just knowing that G-d watches over us, gives us life and the ability to serve Him is enough reason for us to be happy. However during this month of Adar, we have to increase our level of happiness.

Happiness is an important part of our Jewish faith and religion, as well as an essential ingredient in serving G-d.  Our sages tell us that, if for no other reason, a Jew should be happy and thankful for the very fact that he or she is Jewish. The fact that G-d entrusted us with His Torah and His mitzvot is enough reason to be joyous.  True happiness is also a sign of a strong belief and trust in G-d. 

King David in Psalm 100 says, "Ivdu et Hashem B'Simcha bo'u l'fanav birnana," - "Serve G-d with happiness; come before Him with joyous song."  

Every mitzvah performed with happiness not only enhances the mitzvah, it also shows our appreciation to G-d for the opportunity to observe it. Our sages tell us that Simcha (happiness) comes from Kedusha (holiness), whereas sadness and dejection comes from the "other side."

The Baal Shem Tov says, that although the feeling of sadness and dejection is not one of the sins mentioned in the Torah, yet, the negative spiritual consequences which can result from sadness and dejection may be far worse than many sins.

According to Chassidic teaching, sadness and dejection are of the most powerful tactics and tools of the Yetzer Hara (evil inclination).  Through them, the Yetzer Hara traps a person into losing the will and strength to overcome any obstacles which may appear as stumbling blocks in the way of Torah and mitzvot.  As a result, the person will fall deeper into the clutches of the Yetzer Hara.

The Tanya explains this concept with a parable of two people engaged in battle.  If one of the fighters is sad and dejected and the other one is happy and in good spirits, the happy person will be faster, quicker and have more energy to win the battle--even if his opponent is stronger. 

Similarly, say our sages, life is a constant battle between good and evil.  A person must always be on guard to have the spirit and strength to do good. This can be achieved much easier when the person is in control. To be in full control, one must think positive, feel positive and be happy.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL DAY & WONDERFUL CHODESH

B"H

Monday, Adar 4, 5778 / February 19, 2018

This week’s Parsha Tetzaveh begins with G-d telling Moshe to command the people to bring pure olive oil for the lighting of the Menorah (candelabra) in the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and Temple.

The oil used for the Menorah had to be pure olive oil, processed especially for lighting the Menorah.  While olive oil was used in the Temple for other purposes, the oil used for the Menorah had to be of the highest quality.  Only the first drop of oil from each olive qualified for lighting the Menorah. 

The Talmudic sage Rabbi Tanchuma said, “I served in the Holy Temple and miracles were associated with the Menorah.”

Rabbi Chanina, who also served in the Holy Temple relates the following story: “One year the olives in Israel didn’t produce enough oil.  The Kohanim (priests) in the Temple didn’t have enough oil to fill the cups of the Menorah and in their great distress they began to weep.  A miracle occurred and although there was not sufficient oil, the candles burned longer than usual.”     

Q. When was the Menorah lit each day?

A. The Kohen lit the Menorah each afternoon and the Menorah burned throughout the night.

Q.  Was the purpose of the lights of the Menorah to bring light in the Temple?

A. G-dliness and Holiness are called light.  Our sages explain that the Menorah represents, amongst other things, the light and glory of G-d. Inside the Temple G-d’s glory was felt all the time. The lights of the Menorah in the Temple were not for internal light, but for external light.  The purpose of the Menorah was that the light of the Temple should spread outside and illuminate the world. For this purpose the windows in the Temple were made narrow on the inside and wider on the outside, so that the light of the Temple shall spread forth to the outside.

Q.  Why are candles lit on a yartzeit (the day of someone’s passing) or at a shiva?

A.The Neshama (soul) is compared to a candle, as it is written; “The candle of G-d is the soul of man” (Proverbs 20). Thus, we light candles in honor of the Neshama.

Q. Why do many have the custom to escort bride and groom to the Chupah with candles?

A. The numerical value of G-d’s blessing to Adam and Eve, “Pru Urvu,” to be fruitful and multiply, is 500.  The numerical value of Ner (candle) is 250; two candles represent the number 500.  Thus, the two candles represent our blessing to the bride and groom to be fruitful and multiply and be blessed with many children.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HEALTHY, HAPPY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Tuesday, Adar 5, 5778 / February 20, 2018

Next week, Wednesday night (February 28) and Thursday (March 1) we will celebrate the holiday of Purim.  It is the most joyful and festive of all holidays. On Purim we celebrate the miracle of Jewish survival when Haman’s plot to kill all Jews was miraculously nullified through the intervention of Mordechai and Queen Esther.   

Q.  Why is the holiday called "Purim"?

A.   Purimmeans "lots". The Megilah tells us that upon receiving permission to kill the Jewish people, Haman cast lotsto choose the day and month in which to execute his plan. The lot fell on the 13th day of the month Adar. Haman was very pleased, for he knew that Moshe, the great leader of the Jewish people passed away in the Adar. But, Haman didn't know that Moshe’s date of birth was also in Adar.  Thus, it turned out to be Haman's downfall and a good month for the Jewish people.

Q.  How long ago did the miracle of Purim occur?

A.  The miracle of Purim took place 2373 years ago - in the Hebrew year 3405. Purim, as a holiday, was established by the sages of the Great Assembly one year later.

Q. Why is there much more merriment on Purim than on any other Jewish holiday?

A. At the time of the Purim miracle the entire Jewish people lived under the rule of King Achashveirosh. Thus, when Haman convinced him to decree the annihilation of the entire Jewish nation, it affected every Jewish person; men, women and children. Thus, the miracle of Purim is like no other miracle in which the entire Jewish nation was saved. 

Q.  Women are exempt from most mitzvot which have a timefactor.  Yet, hearing the Megilah, which is read only one day a year, on Purim, women are required to hear it just like men.  Why?

A.  Haman’s decree was to kill every man, woman and child. Since the miracle of Purim affected women just the same as men, women are also required to hear the Megilah.

Q.  Mordechai was involved in the story of Purim together with Esther. Why is the Megilah called "Megilat Esther" - "Scroll of Esther"?

A.  The Megilah tells us that Esther's Jewish identity was originally not known, so she was not affected by Haman's decree.  In spite of this, Esther risked death, revealing her Jewish identity, to plead for her people.  Since Esther put her life in danger more than Mordechai, the Megilah is named after her.

Also, Esther was the one who insisted that the story of Purim be recorded and be added to the Holy Scriptures, thus, it was named "Megilat Esther."

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY, SUCCESSFUL DAY