B"H

Wednesday, Adar 13, 5778 / February 28, 2018

Today, the 13th of Adar, is known as "Taanit Esther" - "Esther’s fast." 

There are various opinions as to the origin of this fast. In the Megilah we read that before approaching the King of behalf of her people, Esther tells Mordechai to proclaim a three day fastfor 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 the month of Nissan, we commemorate Esther's fast the day before Purim.

Other sages are of a different opinion as to the origin of this fast.  The Megilah 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.  Today’s fast, Taanit Esther, on the 13th of Adar recalls the fast of the Jewish people and their prayers on the day they fought their enemies.

This fast is more lenient than other fasts and can be avoided for those whom it is difficult to fast.

Today, at the Mincha prayer, we perform the mitzvah of "Machtzit HaShekel," giving the "half Shekel" to charity. This custom originated over three thousand years ago when the Jewish people gave toward the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and towards the sacrifices. It is customary to give three half-dollar coins (or whichever coin is half of the local currency). The money is then distributed to charity or the poor.

Tonight (Wednesday), immediately after the evening service, we read the Megilah.

Everyone -- men, women and children-- should attend synagogue to hear the Megilah reading.  According to Halacha (Torah law), one must not miss even one word of the Megilah.

A reminder again of the five mitzvot which we perform on Purim:

1) Hear the reading of Megilat EstherWednesday night and Thursday. If one cannot attend Synagogue for the Megilah they should make arrangements for it to be read at their home or office.  

2) Reciting the Al HaNisim- A prayer of thanks to Hashem for the miracle of Purim. It is recited during the three Amidah prayers and in the Grace-after-Meals Wednesday night & Thursday. 

3) Mishloach Manot- Sending a minimum of two edible foods to at least one friend on Thursday. 

4) Matanot LaEvyonim- gifts or charity to the poor on Thursday. 

5) Seudat Purim- Eat a festive Purim meal on Thursday in celebration of this great miracle. Drink a Lechayimor two on Purim, to commemorate the victory of life over death and good over evil.

Happy Purim!   Happy Purim!   Happy Purim!

B"H

Friday, Adar 15, 5778 / March 2, 2018

This week’s Parsha, Ki Tisa, begins with G-d’s commandment that everyone over the age of twenty, give a half-Shekel, which was to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf. The half shekels were later used to build the foundations of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).

Then the Parsha relates the story of the Golden Calf. "And the people saw that Moshe delayed coming down from the mountain, so the people gathered around Aaron and they said to him, 'Rise up and make for us gods that shall go before us; for as for Moshe, the man that brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.'"

Aaron knew that Moshe would soon descend from the mountain; so to delay them, he said, "Go and bring the golden rings which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons and your daughters." But the people brought the gold faster than Aaron imagined.

According to the Midrash, Aaron realized that if the people built an idol on their own, they would complete it quickly.  Therefore, he took charge of the job and tried to postpone it until Moshe returned.  But when Aaron took the gold and threw it into the fire, out came the Golden Calf.  This took place only 40 days after receiving the Torah, while Moshe was still on Mount Sinai.

The next day Moshe came down the mountain carrying the Two Tablets. Upon seeing the people dancing around the Golden Calf, he immediately threw down the Tablets and broke them. G-d wanted to destroy the entire nation, but Moshe pleaded with G-d for mercy. 

Moshe’s entire dialogue with G-d on behalf of his people, is recorded in the Parsha.

After breaking the Tablets, Moshe went back up Mount Sinai and prayed for 40 days. Then he went up Mount Sinai again for another forty daysand returned with the second set of Tablets. He came down the mountain with the Second Tablets and G-d's forgiveness on Yom Kippur, which became a day of Atonement for all generations. Moshe was on Mount Sinai a total of120 days.

Q.Why did the Torah change the order of events and tell us about the half- shekel, which was to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf, in the beginning of the Parsha, beforetelling us about the actual sin of the Golden Calf?

A.Our sages tell us that G-d prepares the remedy before the plague and the cure before the sickness. This is why the Torah tells us about the building of the Mishkan and about the giving of the half Shekel, which was to atone for the Golden Calf, before telling us about the sin of the Golden Calf to teach us this important lesson: G-d always prepares the cure before the ailment.

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 5:25 / Shabbat ends: 6:28

B"H

Friday, Adar 15, 5778 / March 2, 2018

This week’s Parsha, Ki Tisa, begins with G-d’s commandment that everyone over the age of twenty, give a half-Shekel, which was to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf. The half shekels were later used to build the foundations of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).

Then the Parsha relates the story of the Golden Calf. "And the people saw that Moshe delayed coming down from the mountain, so the people gathered around Aaron and they said to him, 'Rise up and make for us gods that shall go before us; for as for Moshe, the man that brought us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.'"

Aaron knew that Moshe would soon descend from the mountain; so to delay them, he said, "Go and bring the golden rings which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons and your daughters." But the people brought the gold faster than Aaron imagined.

According to the Midrash, Aaron realized that if the people built an idol on their own, they would complete it quickly.  Therefore, he took charge of the job and tried to postpone it until Moshe returned.  But when Aaron took the gold and threw it into the fire, out came the Golden Calf.  This took place only 40 days after receiving the Torah, while Moshe was still on Mount Sinai.

The next day Moshe came down the mountain carrying the Two Tablets. Upon seeing the people dancing around the Golden Calf, he immediately threw down the Tablets and broke them. G-d wanted to destroy the entire nation, but Moshe pleaded with G-d for mercy. 

Moshe’s entire dialogue with G-d on behalf of his people, is recorded in the Parsha.

After breaking the Tablets, Moshe went back up Mount Sinai and prayed for 40 days. Then he went up Mount Sinai again for another forty daysand returned with the second set of Tablets. He came down the mountain with the Second Tablets and G-d's forgiveness on Yom Kippur, which became a day of Atonement for all generations. Moshe was on Mount Sinai a total of120 days.

Q.Why did the Torah change the order of events and tell us about the half- shekel, which was to atone for the sin of the Golden Calf, in the beginning of the Parsha, beforetelling us about the actual sin of the Golden Calf?

A.Our sages tell us that G-d prepares the remedy before the plague and the cure before the sickness. This is why the Torah tells us about the building of the Mishkan and about the giving of the half Shekel, which was to atone for the Golden Calf, before telling us about the sin of the Golden Calf to teach us this important lesson: G-d always prepares the cure before the ailment.

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 5:25 / Shabbat ends: 6:28