Dear BSO Congregant,

This coming Shabbat, March 6 -7, 2004 - Adar 13, 5764, we will read Parshat Tetzaveh (annual cycle - Exodus 27:20 -30:10; triennial cycle - Exodus 29:19 - 30:10). This Shabbat is also called Shabbat Zachor because we read a special maftir aliyah (Deuteronomy 25:17-19) which command us to remember (zachor) how the ancient Amalekite nation ambushed the Israelites in an act of terror. We always read this short portion on the Shabbat before Purim since Jewish tradition declared the Amalekites to be the ancestors of Haman.

The Haftarah is from I Samuel 15:2-34 and it relates a later biblical story about the Amalekite nation.

This is also the second of the "arba parshiot - the four portions" which are added to the regular Torah readings, (two) before Purim and (two) before Passover.

A Rabbi looks forward to Purim for many reasons. Of course it is a time for joy and happiness, but it also has special significance since it is one of the few times during the year when the synagogue is filled. Everyone comes to celebrate Purim, young and old alike. Although in terms of halacha, Purim is considered a minor holiday, a great number of Jews throughout the world assemble to hear the reading Megillat Esther. Actually, it is not very surprising that Purim is one of the most popular Jewish holidays. Since traveling is permitted, it becomes much easier for all Jews to celebrate Purim with their communities. In addition, the nature of the observance itself is such that it attracts everyone. Purim is simply loads of fun. Everyone comes to synagogue ready to have a good time, and on Purim the wildest of the wild is acceptable. The 14th of Adar encourages a great release of joyous energy for the entire Jewish people.

If there were one statement that best reflects the prescription for such joyous release on Purim, it would have to be the words of the Talmudic teacher Rava, found appropriately in the Tractate entitled Megilla. “Amar Rava: Mehayev eneesh livsoomay b’foorya ad d’lo yada bain ‘arur Haman l’varooch Mordechai’ – Everyone is obligated to become inebriated on Purim to the point of not being able to distinguish between ‘cursed be Haman and blessed be Mordechai.’”

Those of you who are hearing this obligation for the first time may be appalled, and if so your sentiments are complimented by many rabbinic commentators who have questioned this statement of Rava. Several rabbis attempted to understand Rava’s intent, and more than a few interpreters have come to the conclusion that Rava’s advice is not to be followed. However, in my opinion, such a solution simply evades the problem and refuses to meet it head on.

While searching through the various commentaries found in the Talmud on this statement in Tractate Megilla, I came across one entitled, “Hachmat Manoah – the Wisdom of Manoah.” It is very short and I had never seen it before. It interprets Rava’s statement in a most unique and ingenious way.

The Hachmat Manoah states that Purim is a time for everyone to cast away the “keena – jealousy” and the “seena – hatred” that we all have for one person or another. All of us have encountered someone who has done us harm or evil, and who therefore elicits feelings of hatred. Our commentator describes this element of hatred as the lesson of Haman – the Haman within ourselves. Perhaps there is a little bit of Haman in each one of us.

There are other instances when we are jealous of our companions who have been blessed with greatness and/or wealth. Being able to control such jealousy is the lesson of Mordechai. The last verse of the Megillah reads, “For Mordechai the Jew was Viceroy to King Ahashverous, he was a great man among the Jews and popular with most of his brethren – most, but not all, as it is not in the power of any person to be able to appease everyone due to kinat ha-ahim – the jealousy of fellow human beings.

According to the Hochmat Manoah, it is the kinah and seenah – the jealousy and hatred in each of us that Rava wants to eliminate when he suggests that unusual practice for Purim. When we sit to eat at the Purim seudah (meal) or when we have a drink with our friends on Purim evening, there is a certain warmth and good feeling that permeates the atmosphere and overcomes feelings of hatred and jealousy. Therefore, when Rava said we should drink “ad d’lo yada – until we don’t know,” what is meant is, until we don’t know how to hate or curse even Haman, and until we don’t know how to be jealous of even someone as blessed as Mordechai.

As we approach Purim, let me encourage everyone to lift your hearts high, be joyous to the extent that you can remove all hatred and jealousy from your midst, and to that person I say, “L’Chaim.”

Candle lighting time is 5:45 PM.

Our Friday night Shabbat Family/Birthday/Anniversary service will begin at 7:30 PM.

Our Shabbat morning service will begin at 9:00 AM.

Our Shabbat Minha service will begin at 12:30 PM.

Our Family Purim service and celebration will begin at 7:30 PM. The full Megillah will be read beginning at approximately 8:45 PM.

Our service on Sunday-Purim morning, March 7 will begin at 8:45 AM. The full Megillah will be read beginning at approximately 9:30 AM.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Philip Pohl

B'nai Shalom of Olney
18401 Burtfield Dr.
Olney, MD 20832
301-774-0879
301-774-3992 FAX