Wednesday, Adar2 13, 5779 / March 20, 2019,

Today (Wednesday), the thirteenth of Adar, is a fast day, called, "Taanit Esther" - "Fast of Esther."

There are various opinions as to the origin of this fast.  In the Megilah 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 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.  Taanit Esther, recalls the fast and prayers of the Jewish people at the time of Mordechai and Esther.

Today (Wednesday), 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.

Purim begins tonight (Wednesday night). The following mitzvot are performed on Purim:

1) Reading of Megilat Esther.  Purim night (Wednesday night) and again during the day (Thursday) we read the Megilat Esther - Scroll of Esther -  which presents the complete story of the miracle of Purim.  Men, women and children should hear the Megilah reading.  One must not miss even one word of the Megilah.

2) Reciting the Al HaNisim. A prayer in which we thank G-d for the great miracle of Purim.  We recite it during the Amidah prayers of Purim and in the Grace-after-meals.

3) Mishloach Manot - sending gifts.  On Purim day (Thursday), we send gifts of ready-to-eat foods to a friend. We send at least two kinds of food (which require two different blessings) to at least one person. 

Sending Mishloach 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 that we are united and care for each other. There is no greater pleasure to our Father-in-Heaven than to see His children united.

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

A HAPPY AND JOYOUS PURIM TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

B"H

Monday, Adar2 18, 5779 / March 25, 2019,

The holiday of Pesach (Passover) is in less than four weeks. The first Seder will be celebrated Friday night, April 19. The second Seder (in the Diaspora only) will be celebrated, Saturday night, April 20.

Our sages tell us that thirty days before the holiday of Pesach we have to begin studying the laws of Pesach. There are many laws and customs associated with the Pesach holiday. We should be prepared for the holiday properly.

The Pesach Seder shouldn’t only be an excuse for another delicious meal. It must also have a religious flavor too. It is a time when we celebrate not only our physical freedom, but also our spiritual freedom. Our children and grandchildren deserve to benefit from the spiritual beauty of the Seder. Just like the food needs preparing, so too, to make the Seder meaningful needs preparation.

The prohibition of chametz (leavened foods such as bread, cakes, alcohol beverages etc.) during Pesach is very strict. Thus, it is very important to make sure that all products purchased for Pesach should have a reliable kosher certificate.  

The holiday of Pesach has four names;

1.  Chag Ha-Aviv- The holiday of spring.

2.  Chag Ha-Matzot- The holiday of matzot.

3.  Chag Ha-Pesach- The holiday of Pesach (Passover).

4.   Z'man Cheiruteinu- The season of our freedom.

Pesach is Chag Ha-Aviv - The holiday of spring. This is the reason why we have an extra month (leap year) every few years (like this year) in the Hebrew calendar. to make sure that Pesach is celebrated in the spring. Without the extra month Pesach would have been this year in the winter.

Q.  The Torah usually refers to the holiday as "Chag Ha-Matzot" - holiday of matzot.  We, on the other hand, call the holiday "Chag Ha-Pesach" - holiday of Passover. Why is this so?

A.  Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Barditchev explains it this way. We call the holiday Pesach, which means to Pass-over – thus we give praise to G-d for sparing the Jewish people by passing over their homes when He afflicted the Egyptians. 

G-d, on the other hand, calls the holiday Chag Ha-Matzot; with this name He gives praise to the Jewish people, for the trust they had in G-d, leaving Egypt in haste, without even preparing food for their journey. They only took out their raw dough which the sun baked into matzot. This shows their great faith in G-d that He would provide for all their needs in the desert, as G-d indeed did.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Tuesday, Adar2 19, 5779 / March 26, 2019,

In preparation for the holiday of Pesach (Passover), here are Questions & Answers about the holiday.

Q.  The way the Hebrew calendar is set, there are three nights in the week in which the first Seder cannot fall.  Which three nights are they?

A. The first Seder cannot fall Sunday night, Tuesday night or Thursday night.

Q.  Why is it preferable to use round matzah for the Seder?

A.The Torah refers to the dough which the Jewish people took out of Egypt on their shoulders and was baked in the sun as they left Egypt as, "ugot Matzot" (cakes of matzah). The word "ugot" commonly represents something round. Thus, we use round matzah for the Seder.    

Q.   Why do the matzah have holes in them?

A.  The holes are to keep the matzah flat. They prevent the dough from rising and becoming leavened (chametz) which may render them forbidden for Pesach.

Q.  How many times are we obligated to eat matzah at the Seder?

A.Three times. Once for the Mitzvah of matzah (after reciting the first part of the Hagadah and washing our hands). The second time we use matzah for the "Korech" (the sandwich of matzah and Maror). The third time for the Afikoman, which we eat at the end of the Seder meal.

Q.  The order of the Four Sons as mentioned in the Torah is: 1) Wicked son; 2) One who doesn’t know to ask; 3) Simple son; 4) Wise son. However, the order of the Four Sons at the Seder table, as they are mentioned in the Hagadah, is: 1) Wise son; 2) Wicked son; 3) Simple son; 4) One who does not know to ask. Why is the order changed in the Hagadah? Why is the wicked son placed next to the wise one?

A.  In the Torah they are mentioned in the order of who needs our attention and influence most. Thus, the wicked one is first and the wise one last. In the Hagadah they are placed according to their level of intelligence. Although he is wicked in his actions, yet his level of intelligence is more than the last two. 

Also, we specially place the wicked son next to the wise one, so that the wise son will influence him to better his ways. Only the wise one can influence the wicked son of the importance of the Exodus and adhering to the Torah and Mitzvot which G-d gave to the Jewish people. 

The lesson: We shouldn't reject any child, not even the wicked one. We must never give up on any child. Instead, we place the wicked son next to the wise son so that the wise one will try and influence the wicked one that he, too, will become wise and follow the right path in life.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY