Dr. Victor H. Sasson, President Adar 5777 / March 2017
Purim
Change of Heart
Only two incidents throughout our history where an anti-Semitic enemy sought to destroy our people prompted our sages to establish community observance of Holy Days -- Chanukah and Purim. The commentators discuss which of the two is greater -- which celebrates a greater miracle?
When the Syrian-Greeks imposed their decrees on the Jews, Matityahu and a small band revolted against the world's most powerful army. The miracle of the victory of the few over the many -- the weak over the powerful -- is the miracle that we celebrate each year. We acknowledge the intervention of G-d to override the rules of nature on our behalf. The improbable military victory brought happiness and celebration to our people.
Purim, similarly, represents our salvation from a wicked and powerful foe, however, there is a major difference in the nature of the miracle. The Talmud elucidates the fact that Haman was not the only powerful party who held a strong hatred for the Jews in his heart. Ahashverosh was also an anti-Semite. The Gemara (Megillah 14a) compares the two to a man who had a ditch in his field that prevented him from maximizing his output and to another who had a pile of dirt blocking the path of his plow on his property. Each would have paid for someone to solve his problem. They met and the one with the dirt gladly gave it to the other with the ditch and both left happily. Both Haman and Achashverosh despised our people and they joined forces to declare a genocide on the 13th of Adar.
Hashem set the scene. Esther, a Jewess, was chosen as Queen but her identity was kept a secret. Haman came to a private party for him and the King. When Esther asked for her life and pointed out Haman as the one who wanted to kill her and her people -- the Jews -- Achashverosh ordered that Haman be hung. The change of heart took only one moment. Achashverosh converted from enemy of the Jews to savior of the nation. That is the miracle!
In all other miracles where Hashem saved us he took control of nature and changed scientific and political realities for our benefit. He turned water to blood, split the Sea and He brought about the victory of the weak over the strong. Here, in contrast, He changed the heart of a human being. Achashverosh -- the hater became Achashverosh the defender and savior. To change an enemy into a friend is the greatest miracle of all!
This would explain why our sages say that after the final redemption Purim will maintain a unique status amongst the Holy Days. The miracle of Redemption is summed up as "Hashem will circumcise your heart and the heart of your children" -- the basis of the Purim miracle -- a change of heart is THE basis for Redemption.
Happy Purim!
Rabbi Raymond Beyda
Zecher L’Mahasit Hashekel
The custom is to give a Mahasit Hashekel to Sedaka during the month of Adar, or during the second Adar in a leap year. This is to commemorate the half shekel coins that were given during the time of the Bet Hamikdash, towards the purchase of the Korbanot. Although the whole month is acceptable, many have the custom to give the Mahasit Hashekel right before the reading of the Megillah at night. The reason for this is that the Gemara tells us that the zechut of the Mahasit Hashekel protected us from the money that Haman offered Ahashverosh. It is customary to give three half dollar coins to commemorate the three times the word Terumah is mentioned in the chapter dealing with the Mahasit Hashekel.
Parashat Zachor
The Torah commands us to remember what Amalek did to us when he attacked us on our way out of Egypt. This commandment must be fulfilled by reading the Parasha of Zachor from a Sefer Torah. We fulfill this Misvah on Parashat Zachor, the Shabbat before Purim. One should make certain to attend the synagogue that Shabbat and to pay careful attention to this most important reading.
This year Parashat Zachor falls out on March 11th .
Ta’anit Esther
Ta’anit Esther this year falls out on Thursday, March 9th. The fast begins at 5:05 A.M. and ends at 6:20 P.M. We fast to remember that Hashem answers us in the time of our sorrow if we cry out to Him and repent. All healthy adults must fast. Pregnant and nursing women are exempt.
Reading of the Megillah
We read the Megillah twice on Purim, once at night and once in the day.
Men and women are obligated to hear the Megillah.
One should not eat a meal before hearing the reading of the Megillah.
The Megillah must be read from a kosher Megillah scroll.
If the reader is reading from a kosher Megillah, all those listening are yoseh (fulfilling their obligation), even if they do not have a kosher Megillah.
One must listen to every word of the Megillah. If one is unable to hear a word or two he can read it himself, even if he does not have a kosher Megillah in his hand.
One should not talk during the reading of the Megillah.
At night three Berachot are recited before reading the Megillah:
Al Mikrah Megillah
Sheasah Nissim
Sheheheyanu
On Purim day Sheheheyanu is omitted.
One should have in mind that the Beracha of Sheheheyanu is also going on the Misvot of the day such as Mishloah Manot and Matanot Laebyonim.
When reading with a minyan, we recite the beracha of Harab Et Reebenu…etc, after the reading.
Misvot of Purim
Besides the reading of the Megillah, there are three other Misvot we are obligated to do on Purim: Matanot La’ebyonim, Mishloah Manot and Seudat Purim.
Matanot La’ebyonim-one is obligated to give two presents to two poor people (one to each.) The minimum is even a perutah (a few cents) however one should try to give a nice size gift. Our Rabbis suggest the value of a meal.
Mishloah Manot - one is obligated to give two gifts of food to one person. One reason given for this Misvah is that Haman accused the Jewish people of being separate, meaning not united. Mordechai went and gathered all the Jews to bring unity among them. Therefore, on Purim we give presents to promote unity and love among Bene Yisrael. Another reason given is so that there will be a lot of food available for the Purim meal.
Seudat Purim - one is obligated to eat a festive holiday meal on the day of Purim. One does not fulfill his obligation by eating at night.
One should try to eat the Seudat Purim together with family and friends.
HaRambam writes that it is preferable to do more Matanot La’ebyonim than Mishloah Manot, as there is no greater Simha than to make the poor happy. For in doing so, we emulate the Shechina.