B"H
Friday, Adar 10, 5780 / March 5, 2020
This Shabbat, Parshat Tetzaveh, because it is the Shabbat before Purim, we read from two Torahs.
In the first Torah we read the weekly Parsha, Tetzaveh, which speaks about the garments that the Kohen (priest) and the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) whore during the service in the Mishkan (Tabernacle). It also tells the process of the dedication of the Mishkan. From the second Torah we read Parshat Zachor (Deut. 25:17). It is the second of the four special Torah readings at this time of year.
In the Parshat Zachor reading the Torah states, "Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt; how he met you on the way and cut down all the weak trailing behind you while you were weary and exhausted, and he did not fear G-d. Therefore, when the L-rd your G-d will relieve you of all your enemies around you, in the land which the L-rd your G-d gives you as a heritage, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from beneath the heaven. Do not forget!"
Q.What is the connection between Purim and Parshat Zachor – the commandment to remember what Amalek did to the Jewish people when leaving Egypt?
A.Haman, the villain in the story of Purim, who tried to destroy the entire Jewish nation, was a direct descendant of Amalek, who waged war against the Jewish people as they left Egypt on the way to Mount Sinai to receive the Torah.
Q.Why is the nation of Amalek singled out in the Torah when there were many other nations who waged war against the people of Israel?
A.Our sages explain this with a parable: A tub of water was so hot; everyone was too terrified to get close out of fear of getting burnt. Then one person decided to jump into the water. Although he got burnt and paid the consequences, yet, it diminished the fear of all other people 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 about it and trembled; pangs of fear gripped the inhabitants of Phlistia; the chieftains of Edom were terrified; the mighty men of Moab were panic-stricken; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away." (Exodus 15).
Amalek, like the man who jumped into the hot tub, was the first nation to wage war against the people of Israel after their Exodus. Although they were defeated, the fear of the other nation was gone. All subsequent wars are, in a sense, a result of Amalek's war. This is why Amalek is singled out.
Reminder: Purim is Monday night & Tuesday. Check for the Megilah reading time in your synagogue.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 5:30 / Shabbat ends: 6:35
B"H
Monday, Adar 13, 5780 / March 9, 2020
Today, the 13th of Adar, is known as "Taanit Esther" - "Fast of Esther." There are various opinions as to the origin of this fast.
One opinion is: In the Megilah we read that before approaching the King of 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 don't fast during the month of Nissan, the month when we celebrate the Exodus, our liberation from bondage, we commemorate Esther's fast today, 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.
Thus, today’s fast, Taanit Esther, on the 13th of Adar recalls the fast of the Jewish people on the day they fought their enemies at the time when the miracle of Purim took place.
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 give three half-dollar coins (or whichever coin is half of the local currency). This is called, “Machatzit Hashekel.” The money is then distributed to the poor.
Tonight (Monday night), after the evening (Maariv) service, we read the Megilah. Everyone -- men, women and children-- should attend synagogue to hear the Megilah reading. The Megilah is read again on Tuesday during the morning service.
Remember the Mitzvot of Purim:
1) Listen to the Megilah reading (Monday night & Tuesday morning).
2) Recite "Al HaNisim" prayer thanking G-d for the great miracle of Purim (Tonight & Tuesday).
3) "Mishlo'ach Manot" - sending two kosher, ready to eat, foods to a friend (on Tuesday).
4) "Matanot LaEvyonim" - giving charity to at least two poor people (on Tuesday).
5) Se'udat Purim - Eating a festive meal to celebrate the miracle of Purim on Tuesday.
Oh yes... and remember to drink L'Chayim... and enjoy the wonderful holiday!
BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY PURIM
B"H
Wednesday, Adar 15, 5780 / March 11, 2020
This week’s Parsha, Ki Tisa, begins with the mitzvah of the “half shekel,” which G-d commanded the Jewish people to contribute and which were later used for the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Then the Torah tells the story of how they made and worshipped the Golden Calf.
The events in the Torah are not always recorded in their chronological order. At times, events which took place later appear earlier in the Torah. One such place is the above mentioned two events in this week's Parsha, Ki Tisa.
The Parsha begins, "And the L-rd spoke to Moshe saying, 'When you will take the count of the children of Israel, every man shall give a ransom for his soulto the L-rd... This they shall give... a half shekel..."
Every man between the ages of twenty and sixty had to give a half shekel coin, no more and no less. By counting the coins, Moshe would know the exact number of the people. The silver half shekels were later melted down and used as the foundation of the Tabernacle (Mishkan).
Besides for the purpose of counting the people, the half Shekel also served, as the Torah states, "a ransom” helping to secure forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf. Here we see that the events are recorded not in their timely order. The commandment to give the half shekel appears in the Parsha before the sin of the Golden Calf although it was commanded only after, as a ransom for that sin.
In telling Moshe about the half shekel, the Torah says, "This they shall give." Our sages explain that the word "this" implies that G-d "showed Moshe a coin of fire," to illustrate the half shekel which they shall give.
Q. Why did G-d illustrate the coin in the form of fire? Why a "halfShekel" rather than a "complete shekel?"
A. Our sages reply that G-d implied two important lessons to the people. The purpose of the "Half-Shekel" was to forgive the Jewish people for the sin of the Golden Calf. In order to atone for this terrible sin, it was important that Jews stand united. By commanding each one to give a halfShekel, the Torah implies that every Jew must feel that they are only half! Only through associating and connecting with another, can a Jew become complete.
Similarly, Hillel the Elder teaches in Pirkei Avot, "If I am only for myself, what am I?" We have to be part of the community – Klall Yisrael.
The reason G-d showed Moshe a "Coin of Fire" is that fire represents feelings of warmth and emotion. "A Coin of Fire" means that when giving charity we should give it with warmth and feeling and not grudgingly.
The expression the Torah uses to command the Jewish people to give the half-shekel is, “venatenu” - “they shall give.” Our sages make the following observation: The Hebrew word venatenucan be read frontward and backward. This tells us that when one gives charity, G-d gives backthat and much more.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
B"H
Thursday, Adar 16, 5780 / March 12, 2020
Now that Purim is behind us, we start preparing for the holiday of Pesach (Passover). The Talmud says, “We connect the redemption of Purim, when we were liberated from Haman’s decree, to the redemption of Pesach, when we were liberated from the Egyptians.
Pesach is not just another holiday in the Jewish calendar. It is the root and basis of all the holidays. Pesach, this year, will begin in four weeks, Wednesday night, April 8.
In the Shabbat and holiday Kiddush we always mention the redemption from Egypt, because Pesach 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, more than any other holiday.
It is also important to understand the reasons for the many mitzvot and customs we do at the Seder.
The main focus of the Pesach Seder are the children. We have to encourage them to ask questions and we should be prepared to give them 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 consists of seven days in Israel and eight days in the Diaspora. Pesach celebrates two great miracles. The beginning 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, when the Jewish people crossed through the sea while the Egyptian’s, who were chasing after them, drowned.
Between now and Pesach, we will, G-d willing, try to cover as much as possible about Pesach.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
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