It is one of the most exciting times of the year, especially this year as we prepare for Purim by celebrating Shabbat and from the holiness of Shabbat we go directly into the holiness and joy of Purim.
Let’s make no mistake, although on Purim we celebrate Jewish victory over antisemitism and hatred, the antisemitism still lives on in full force today, as we have witnessed in recent months. But why? Why so much hatred of the small group of people who just keep thriving.
Throughout more than three millennia, the hatred of Jews has been explained in various ways. Each period and geographic location provided another reason to hate Jews. Which begs the questions, can it really be that each country and society that expelled, killed, tortured, and exterminated Jews all had different reasons? Or does it make more sense to try and see what has not changed about the Jews since the moment they became a nation?
What is consistent about the Jews regardless of their economic, societal, color of skin, facial features, or any other success or failure, each of which have been blamed for the antisemitism of the time?
Since the moment Moses came down mount Sinai, we expressed an unwavering commitment and dedication to G-d and the Torah, to live by example, be a light onto the nations and thereby introduce G-dly morality and ethics, limits of power, equality, justice, and care for others, to mention just a few of the Jewish values the world today takes for granted.
Good people saw this, embraced it, and adopted it into their value systems. The haters were disgusted by it, since their lives were nothing more than a selfish pursuit which stopped at nothing to obtain self-serving objectives. The existence of the Jew was a painful reminder that the world is not a moral jungle.
Every single Jew, regardless whether we like it or not, represents G-d and the Torah and the reminder that life must add up to something greater than the self. This is the celebration of Purim!! It is the continued dedication to be a moral role model by following the Torah and being connected to G-d. These are the only features of the Jew that have been consistent for 3336 years. It’s the real reason for antisemitism.
The haters will never stop hating us because we will always be G-dly, we only make it worse when we try to appease by not following the Torah and trying to be like others. It is precisely when we live up to our responsibility as Jews that even the haters will respect us.
This Purim let’s celebrate the reason for our survival, which is our dedication to G-d, the love for life and each other, and our commitment to live by the Torah as best as we can.
This Purim, make a toast to life, to the Jewish way of life, to the Jewish people and to yourself. L’Chaim!!!
Sincerely, Rabbi Mendel & Elke Zaltzman
Shabbos Times
Friday, March 22
Candle Lighting: 6:53pm Evening Service: 6:55pm
Saturday, March 23 Tanya Class 9:15am Morning Service: 10:00am Kiddush: 12:15pm Evening Service: 6:45pm Shabbat Ends: 7:54pm Megilah Reading 8:15pm Havdala Ceremony 8:45pm CLICK FULL PURIM SCHEDULE
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A BISSELE HUMOR
Maurice has a business appointment, and he arrives a little early. The receptionist points to a comfortable easy chair and asks him to be seated for a while. Maurice settles down, picks up a magazine and tries to read. However, he finds that he cannot concentrate because he is distracted due to a ruckus coming from behind one of the doors leading off the reception area. Maurice goes over to the receptionist and asks, "What's going on in there?" She replies, "It's a partners' meeting." "But why are they shouting at each other?" Maurice asks. "It's a high stakes battle of wits," she replies. Maurice asks: "Between who?", and she answers, "Horowits, Lebowits, Rabbinowits and Abramowits."
WEEKLY eTORAH
The beginning of the Book of Vayikra (Leviticus), features an interesting lesson in humility of the most genuine kind. The very first word, vayikra, features a smaller-than-usual alef. Tradition teaches that Moses had initially written the word without the alef at all, which changes its meaning. Vayikra means “and he called,” whereas without the alef it reads vayikar, “and he chanced upon, ” which is the way G‑d communicated to the heathen prophet Balaam, rather than approaching him deliberately and lovingly as He did with Moses. G‑d, however, insisted that Moses write the word vayikra with an alef, so he had no choice. But he used a small alef which is almost indiscernible, reflecting his true humility—despite his greatness, he remained the humblest of men. Today, fame and recognition seem to be the keys to success. We have our fair share of self-appointed celebrities with millions of “followers.” Often, these are individuals with absolutely no claim to fame whatsoever, but they know how to market themselves. To become world-famous in the digital age, all you need is confidence, chutzpah, and … a publicist.
The Torah states categorically that the Almighty Himself declared Moses to be “the humblest man on the face of the earth.” And the commentators explain that although Moshe was the most powerful leader in history, who took the Israelites out of bondage, who split the sea, and received the Tablets from G‑d, still, it didn’t go to his head. Why? Because he always considered his strengths and qualities as gifts from G‑d. Had someone else been granted those very same talents, he reckoned, they might have done even better. So Moses was simultaneously the greatest prophet and leader of all time, and also the humblest of all men. And he was a role model to all future spiritual leaders. A great leader in our generation, who likewise reflected utmost humility despite having a huge international following of students and admirers, was of course the Rebbe. It took G‑d a full week at the Burning Bush to convince Moses to take the mantle of leadership and confront Pharaoh. And it took the Rebbe a full year before he agreed to accept the position of Lubavitcher Rebbe (after his father-in-law’s passing). He would speak, teach, and interact not only with the most advanced scholars, but with all people. On various occasions, he spoke only to groups of children. On most weekdays, if he encountered children on his way into shul he would stop and give them coins to put in a charity box. And on Sundays, when he would bless people while distributing dollars for tzedakah, anyone and everyone could see him personally. There was no admission policy. All were welcome, great and simple, famous and ordinary, religious and secular, Jew and non-Jew. Greatness is no reason for arrogance. Indeed, the truly great are truly humble.
