Tuesday Morning Torah – March 12, 2019

We have just about one more week until we celebrate the holiday of Purim! Before I share this week’s message, a huge thank you to our sisterhood volunteers who helped make thousands of hamantaschen this past Sunday. It was beautiful to see so many volunteers of all ages and stages as younger children baked with parents, older children took a break from their daily routines to continue a yearly tradition of baking with their parents, and friends took time to lovingly roll, stuff, pinch, bake and count hamantaschen together! I also want to thank all who have put together and will be delivering our congregational shalach manot baskets. This is a truly special mitzvah reminding all of us that we are part of a larger synagogue family. It could not happen without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers.

Traditionally, there are four mitzvot associated with Purim. This morning, rather than sending you this message next week, with only one day to go, I wanted to give you a head start to think about how you might incorporate these mitzvot into your life this year.

Hearing the Megillah: According to the Shulchan Arukh, a major law code from the 16th century, the mitzvah of hearing the reading of the Megillah is of utmost importance. There is almost nothing which supersedes this mitzvah (except for tending to a burial). Hearing the Megillah emphasizes the importance of listening in general, and serves as a reminder to stand up against anti Semitism, bigotry and intolerance in our world. It reminds us that crazy things can happen in a society at any given time and the world can seem upside down (a theme in the Purim story itself). As Jews, we must not remain hidden ( the literal meaning of “Esther’s” name), but should always stand up for justice.

Matanot LaEvyonim (Gifts to the poor): Purim is a holiday about giving. The Megillah itself explains that Purim is to be observed as “a day of feasting and merrymaking, and as an occasion for sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor (9:22).” The Shulchan Arukh teaches that :

In other words, we are to celebrate Purim by giving to those in need, regardless of who they are or what they believe. Consider making a donation to a charitable organization this year in honor of Purim. Or, better yet, bring some food to Fulfil, our local food pantry, or Mazon, the Jewish organization that fights against hunger. This will also give you the added bonus of starting to clean out in time for Passover!

Seudat Purim (Festive Meal): Historically, Purim has provided us with an occasion to have a large feast to celebrate our survival. In some senses, Purim is the classic holiday referred to in the joke “they tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat!” Practically speaking, in our community, many are working on Purim day and there are not many opportunities for a weekday Seudat Purim in our community. Having said that, why not share a festive meal with a few people during the day on Thursday, March 21st? Get together with family, friends, or co-workers. Make a meal at home, go out to a restaurant, and consider spending a few minutes talking about the meaning of the holiday of Purim. Take this as a great excuse to get together with friends and celebrate life as well as the messages behind this holiday!

Mishloach Manot (Sending of Gifts): Misholoach Manot, or “Shalach manot” for short, this is a mitzvah that many of us know about from our participation in the synagogue program each year. Traditionally, the wording of the verse in the Megillah referring to these gifts was interpreted to mean that we were to give at least two separate foods to one person (S.A. 695:4). Today, some people participate in synagogue programs such as ours, while others can get quite creative in delivering gifts to friends and family. If you do not have this practice, I encourage you to think about it this year. You have one week to go. You don’t have to get overly fancy, and you should remember that it is “the thought, that counts.” Find a small basket, or a decorative small bin of sorts, or even use a paper plate that can be stapled into the shape of a hamantaschen (use google if you need help!), and then fill it with some delicious snacks and goodies to send to your friends. Have fun and be creative. Again, it is a great excuse to show friends and family that you care in a way that is more tangible and significant than a “like” on social media 🙂

I wish you and your family a festive and joyous Purim filled with laughter, generosity, and giving!