B"H

Friday, Adar 7, 5781 / February 19, 2021

Today, the seventh day in the month Adar, is a significant day in the Jewish calendar. Moshe, the great leader of the Jewish people, who led them out of Egypt and shepherded them through their forty years in the desert, was born on this day.  He also passed away on the seventh of Adar, 120 years later.

Q.   Were Moshe’s parents, Yocheved and Amram related?

A.   Moshe’s mother, Yocheved, was Amram’s aunt – his father’s sister. After the Giving of the Torah a marriage as this is prohibited, but before the Giving of the Torah it was permitted.

Q. How old was Moshe when his mother placed him in a basket near the water, to be found by Pharaoh’s daughter?

A.  At three months. It was the same day in which he would receive the Torah eighty years later.

Q.  Was there anything special about Moshe’s birth?

A.  1) Moshe’s birth was painless for his mother. 2) When Moshe was born, the house was filled with light.  3) Moshe was born circumcised.

Q.  The Torah doesn’t write the date of Moshe’s passing. Is there any hint in the Torah to the date?

A.  Yes. From the beginning of the Book of Exodus (Shemot), until the end of Numbers (Bamidbar), Moshe's name appears in every Parsha, except in next week's Parsha, Tetzaveh, where Moshe's name is not mentioned at all. The reason is that Parshat Tetzaveh is usually read on the Shabbat before or after the seventh of Adar. His name being omitted from the Parsha, alludes to his passing.

Q.   How was Moshe’s physical condition when he passed away at 120?

A.  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.

Q.   On which day of the week did Moshe pass away?

A.  On Shabbat. The Torah also tells us that no one knew, nor will anyone ever know, his exact burial place.   The Midrash describes Moshe's death as "Mitat Neshikin" - “death by a G-dly kiss”.

The Torah says, "Moshe was the most humble person upon the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). True greatness goes hand-in-hand with great humility. May this special day bring special blessings to all. 

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 5:10 / Shabbat ends: 6:14

B"H

Monday, Adar 10, 5781 / February 22, 2021

This Thursday night, we will celebrate the holiday of Purim.  As with all Jewish holidays, Purim begins at night and continues the next day. This year, Purim is Thursday night and Friday.

One of the mitzvot of Purim is reading the Megilah - also called Megilat Esther - Scroll of Esther.  The Megilah details the story and miracle of Purim. We will read it Thursday night and again Friday morning. Hearing the Megilah on Purim is very important.

Our sages note several differences between the miracles of Purim and Chanukah. Purim occurred about 200 years before the miracle of Chanukah. On Purim, the Jews faced total physical annihilation, G-d forbid. On Chanukah, the Torah and Jewish religion were at stake.

Also, the miracle of Chanukah happened in Israel and was associated with the second Holy Temple. By contrast, Purim took place after the destruction of the first Holy Temple while Jews were still exiled from Israel and living in Persia under King Achashveirosh.

As a result, Jews throughout our 2000 years of exile found meaning and comfort in the miracle of Purim which took place while the people of Israel were in exile. They too have gone through trials and were saved from anti-Semites who wanted to annihilate or uproot their Jewish communities, just as Haman did. Many communities celebrated their own Purim when saved from annihilation.

Purim is a most merry and joyous Jewish holiday, for Purim celebrates the miracle of Jewish survival. Haman wished to destroy the entire Jewish people. He influenced Achashveirosh, King of Persia, to decree throughout his land, "to destroy, slay, and exterminate all Jews, young and old, children and women, in a single day... and to plunder their possessions..."

Our sages explain that at the time, the entire Jewish nation lived under his rule.  Thus, had it not been for the miracle of Purim, this evil decree would have, G-d forbid, wiped out every single Jew.

The Talmud tells us "Hakoreh et HaMegillah L'Mafreia Lo Yatza" - "If one reads the Megilah backwards (L'Mafreia), one has not fulfilled the mitzvah." The simple meaning is that the Megilah must be read in order from beginning to end and not backwards.

However, there is a deeper meaning to the above Talmudic verse.  The word "L'Mafreia" can also be translated as "in the past."  According to this translation, the meaning would be, "If someone reads the Megilah on Purim and thinks that the story happened only in the past," he/she has not properly fulfilled the mitzvah. The lesson of the Purim miracle should remain with us forever. The fact that we are here today is a constant Purim miracle.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Tuesday, Adar 11, 5781 / February 23, 2021

Thursday night begins the holiday of Purim. The Megilah is read Thursday night and again Friday morning.

There are five mitzvot associated with Purim. These are not part of the 613 mitzvot, as the miracle of Purim occurred about a thousand years after the Giving of the Torah. They are Rabbinical mitzvot.

Thursday, Erev Purim, is a fast day called, Taanit Esther (Fast of Esther). Thursday at the Mincha service we give three half shekels (or the currency of one’s country) for charity. This is called “Machtzit Hashekel.” Charity plates are put out in synagogue so that everyone can perform this mitzvah.

There are five mitzvot associated with Purim, which begins Thursday night through Friday.

1) Reading of the Megilat Esther.  Purim night and again during the day we read the Megilat Esther - Scroll of Esther -  which tells the complete story of Purim. We must hear every word of the Megilah.

2) Reciting the Al HaNisim.  Al HaNisim is a prayer in which we thank G-d for the great miracle of Purim.  We recite it Purim during the Amidah prayers and in the Grace-after-meal (Birkat Hamazon).

3) Mishloach Manot - sending gifts. On Purim day (Friday), we send gifts of two ready-to-eat foods to at least one person.

Reason: According to the Talmud, G-d allowed Haman's decree to take place because Jews participated and ate non-kosher food at King Achashverosh's party. By exchanging gifts of kosher food items, we rectify this fault.

Another reason: 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, through showing that we are united and care for each other. For there is no greater way of thanking G-d, our Father-in-Heaven, than by giving Him the pleasure of seeing His children united.

4) Matanot LaEvyonim - gifts to the needy. On the day of Purim (Friday), we must give charity to at least two poor people. Although one fulfills the minimum requirement of this mitzvah when giving to two poor people, our sages say, that on Purim it is preferable to give to, "whoever stretches out their hand."  Thus, it is customary that on Purim we distribute more charity than usual.

Reason: Same as above, to show that we are united and care for each other. It also helps the poor purchase their Purim meal and enjoy the holiday too.

5) Seudat Purim - Purim meal.  During the day of Purim (Friday) we eat a sumptuous and festive meal as befitting the celebration of this great miracle.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY