Rabbi's Blog

Here we are on the brink of another Purim, the crazy Holiday of paradoxes where nothing appears to be what it really is and so much remains hidden.  The darkness and fear for the Jews of Shushan in the story told in Esther’s scroll is a mirror for our world, where macabre forces in the world, around us and within us are frightening and perplexing.  Some people find this Holiday so difficult to digest with its blurring of boundaries, its fantasy of power and revenge and its invitation to descend into debauchery.  Yet there is a depth to this Holiday that also invites us to look beyond the shadows and underneath the mask and into our own hearts.

The secret to this mystery is partly contained in the unique mitzvot specific to Purim, which are:

• Mikra Megillah (reading the Scroll of Esther, evening and morning),
• Matanot l’Evyonim (gifts of food, clothing or money to the poor),
• Mishloach Manot (gifts of food and drink to friends and neighbors)
• Se’udat Purim (a festive Purim feast, usually in the afternoon of Purim

We connect to the story with all its cracks and dreams and terror, we celebrate, party, revel, but we also are obligated to take care of each other; those in our circles and those outside them.  The secret of continuity in a topsy-turvy world, is to celebrate life when we can, but never to forget those around us and their needs.  We have opportunities to fulfill these mitzvot with and through our community with a family Megillah reading and party from 4.30-6pm tonight at Bonai Shalom, a grown up version, along with an outrageous party at 7.30pm at Shine and a third at 8am on Purim morning.  Don’t forget to dress up!

At all three readings, we will be auctioning off our famous Mac ‘n’ Cheese groggers and collecting money for gifts to the poor that will be distributed to individuals and organizations helping those in need, putting the poor back into Purim.

Bonai Shalom is not hosting a seudah this year, but I hope we will all find ways to get together and celebrate!

On behalf of all of us at Bonai Shalom, I wish us a freylicher, joyous, generous, outrageous, deep Purim!

Blessings,

Rabbi Marc