Thursday, Iyar 19, 5783 (Hakhel Year) 35th Sefirah / May 11, 2023
B"H
Thursday, Iyar 19, 5783 (Hakhel Year) 35th Sefirah / May 11, 2023
This Shabbat we read the last two Parshiot in the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus) – Parshat B’Har& Parshat B’Chukotei.
Parshat B’chukotei begins with G-d telling the Jewish people, "If in My statutes you will walk, and My commandments you will keep, then I will give you rain in the right time, the Land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will produce fruit... you shall eat your bread with satiety and dwell in safety in your land. And I will give peace to the land and you shall not be afraid... You will chase away your enemies and they will fall by their own swords… I will place My dwelling in your midst… I will walk among you. I will be your G-d and you will be My people!”
G-d promises the Jewish people that if they observe the commandments, they will merit His many blessings. Later in the Parsha the Torah details the many sufferings which the Jewish people will experience if, G-d forbid, they do not obey the commandments.
The blessings take up 10 verses and the punishments over 25 verses. In reality, the blessings outnumber the punishments as they are general blessings which include many individual blessings.
The purpose of mentioning the punishments is to impress upon us the importance of obeying the mitzvot, thus avoiding the punishments, as G-d truly wants to bless us always.
G-d says, "And I will walk among you." This is indeed a special blessing to recognize that G-d walks among us at all times – in good times as well as in difficult times.
The following tale explains it beautifully and is worthwhile giving some thought when we go through difficult periods in life, which we all go through one time or another.
A person, who through his lifetime experienced difficult periods, returned his soul to its maker, when the time came. In heaven he was shown a replay of his entire life. He was shown all the steps he took throughout his life; where he went and what he did. To his amazement he saw four footsteps, instead of only two. “But I have only two feet? Why do I always see four footsteps?” he asked the angel.
“Two are yours. The other two are G-d’s. He walked with you wherever you went!” replied the angel.
“But why, as I watch the difficult times in my life and the difficult steps I went through, I see only two footsteps? Where was G-d then?”
The angel looked at him and smiled, “You’re mistaken. The two footsteps you see during your difficult journeys through life are not yours! They are G-d’s footsteps! During those times G-d carried you!”
A powerful message indeed worth remembering!
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
Thursday, Adar 13, 5785 / March 13, 2025
B"H
Thursday, Adar 13, 5785 / March 13, 2025
Today, the 13th of Adar, the day before Purim, is called Taanit Esther - Fast of Esther.
Purim is tonight (Thursday night) & tomorrow, Friday. The Megilah is read twice during Purim; tonight (Thursday night) after the evening service and again tomorrow (Friday), during the morning service.
Today (Thursday) at the Mincha service it is customary to give three half shekels (or the currency of one’s country, like three half dollars) for charity. This is called “Machtzit Hashekel.” Charity plates are usually put out in synagogue so that everyone can perform this important mitzvah.
The Megilah is read from a Kosher Megilah, which was written by a scribe on parchment. However, unlike the Torah reading, the Megilah is folded in a few layers and looks more like one is reading from a letter rather than a Torah scroll. This is because the Megilah is called, “Theletter of Purim.”
Q.Why is the miracle of Purim, which took place over two thousand five hundred years ago, so special and important to this day?
A.Haman wished to annihilate the entire Jewish people. He influenced Achashveirosh, King of Persia, to decree, "To destroy, slay, and exterminate all Jews, young and old, children and women, in a single day... and to plunder their possessions..." Had it not been for the miracle of Purim, this evil decree would have, G-d forbid, wiped out the entire Jewish nation, who all lived under his rule.
Thus, the miracle of Purim is an everlasting miracle. We are here today because of the miracle of Purim. The miracle of Purim is as real today as it was then. G-d watches over His people all the time, as King David said, “G-d doesn’t slumber nor sleep for He watches over the people of Israel.” At times we see G-d’s miracles, but most of the time He watches over us in a way that we don’t even recognize the great miracles He performs for us. It’s the times when we don’t realize these miracles that is the greatest of miracles.
Remember to perform the five mitzvot associated with Purim:1) To hear the reading of the Megilah.This mitzvah applies to Purim night (Thursday night) & Purim day (Friday).
2) Reciting the Al HaNisim prayer, in which we thank G-d for the great miracle of Purim. It is recited during the Amidah prayers and in the Grace-After-Meal (Birkat Hamazon).
3) Mishloach Manot - sending gifts. On Purim day (Friday), remember to send gifts of ready-to-eat kosher foods to at least one friend.
4) Matanot LaEvyonim – charity to the needy. On Purim (Friday), give charity to at least two poor people.
5) Seudat Purim - Purim meal. During the day of Purim (Friday) we eat a festive meal befitting the celebration of this great miracle. Since Purim is Friday, we eat the meal early in the afternoon and finish before Shabbat.
A VERY HAPPY PURIM & SHABBAT SHALOM
Montreal candle lighting time: 6:41 / Shabbat ends: 7:45
UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW
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