ADAR SHEINI 5779 MARCH 2019 TORAT ERETZ YISRAEL • PUBLISHED IN SHUSHAN • DISTRIBUTED AROUND THE WORLD ISRAEL EDITION

RABBI BEREL WEIN פורים שמח! living our own purim story PAGE 24 Happy Purim! RABBANIT SHANI TARAGIN on why purim is the most zionistic holiday

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RABBI JONATHAN SACKS invites us to be alert to G-d's messages

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SIVAN RAHAV-MEIR with advice for a noisy world

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RABBI CHAIM NAVON analyzes binge relationships

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RABBANIT YEMIMA MIZRACHI with some magical moments for women this issue is dedicated in loving memory of PAGE 21 professor cyril domb by his wife and children Torat HaMizrachi

HITLER, HAMAN & HAMAS A Parashat Zachor and Purim Primer

bsolute evil has existed for minute. Thousands of years later, Individuals and societies possess both millennia. It constitutes a Hitler declared the same intentions. the passion for altruistic good and single-minded, systematic Tragically, he succeeded in murdering the impulse for self-destructive evil. focusA to destroy all good in the world. one third of the Jewish people, and Israel's mission is chiefly the former; According to Torah tradition, it has a if not for the hand of Providence Amalek's the latter. name. Amalek. The Torah commands guiding the actions of the Allied It was not by chance that Amalek was us to always remember and never Forces, he would have gone much 1 the first nation to attack Israel, as forget what Amalek represents. further. Unstopped and unchecked, this type of evil would, G-d forbid, soon as we came out of Egypt. This can be sourced from Parashat Zachor. This is the essence of Parashat Zachor. destroy every last Jew wherever they Here are two remarkable points which Our Sages instituted an annual are. public Torah reading on the Shabbat highlight Amalek’s pursuit of evil: preceding Purim, lest we forget The Perennial Battle “How he happened upon you on Amalek’s role in world affairs. The Even though Amalek no longer exists the way and cut off all the stragglers saga of the most infamous Amalekite, as a nation, it most certainly exists as at your rear, when you were faint Haman, at the heart of the Megillah, is an ideology. Its goal is to eradicate and weary, and he did not fear G-d” a sobering reminder of the existence everything good in the world – first (Deuteronomy 25, 17-19). of absolute evil and our obligation to the Jewish people, and all those who confront it. stand for morality and justice. Firstly, there is no stated motive for this attack. Amalek was not motivated Final Solutions Remarkably, only two nations are by any normative political or military the first of nations – the reasoning. Theirs was not a battle over ,ֵראשׁ ִ ית called Having mentioned absolute evil, most 2 situations in life are not so black or Jewish people and Amalek. land or religion nor a war of defense, white. Certainly in ethical terms, little deterrence or display of regional The point is clear. These two nations 3 power. They chose to attack for no is absolutely good or absolutely bad, are pitted against each other in the reason other than to commit evil for but rather nuanced with many shades perennial battle of good versus evil. its own sake. To sow darkness at the of moral grey. Nevertheless, world and Just as on an individual level we battle very dawn of Israel’s aspirations to be Jewish history are testament to the constantly between our good and evil ‘a light unto the nations.’ undeniable existence of destructive impulses, so too these forces struggle ideologies of significant evil. with one another on a cosmic level – Secondly, Amalek always inte the collective mission of the Jewish ntionally targets innocent civilians. Haman’s intention was to kill every people as opposed to that of Amalek. last Jew in all 127 countries of Theirs is not a regular military Achashverosh’s global empire in The struggle between good and evil confrontation but rather a purposeful one day. His Final Solution was on is at the core of much literature and and systematic attack on those lagging the brink of implementation. It was art. Because it is so central to the behind: the elderly, the young, the only through the grace of G-d and psychological and historical reality weak and the infirm. They attacked the actions of Mordechai and Esther of the human condition. Heroes and the most vulnerable and defenseless in that his plan was thwarted at the last villains are locked in constant battle. society.

HaMizrachi seeks to spread Torat Eretz Yisrael throughout the world. HaMizrachi also contains articles, opinion pieces and advertisements that ‎54 King George Street Chairman represent the diversity Editor-in-Chief Production & Advertising Manager Jerusalem‎ Mr. Harvey Blitz of views and interests in Daniel‏ Verbov Meyer Sterman our communities. These [email protected] 02 620 9000 do not necessarily reflect Chief Executive Rabbi Doron Perez any official position of Creative Director Design www.mizrachi.org Mizrachi or its branches. Jonny Lipczer Hadas Peretz Follow us c d f l Rabbi Doron Perez HITLER, HAMAN & HAMAS A Parashat Zachor and Purim Primer

Amalek Today The Leaders’ Crucial Role pluralistic and democratic “live and Amalek-type evil has taken on a Therefore it is incumbent on let live” society must not become our new name. Terrorism. The aim of statesmen and leaders to comprehend greatest weakness. The forces of good 4 international terrorism is to do the challenge of dealing with Amalek. cannot prevail if we are not armed exactly what its name implies: to with robust moral clarity. It was Mordechai who had this clarity terrorize anywhere and everywhere. Parashat Zachor is the perennial The acceptable international norm of moral vision and courageous temerity to stand up to Haman. It was reminder of this need. Purim is the in military interaction is that an primer of how to contend with this army confronts another, and only his and Esther’s heroic leadership, with assistance from Above, that evil and how each player has their combatants in uniform fight against part to play. The Hamans of the world their counterparts. Civilians are prevented the total annihilation of the Jewish people. will always attempt to win over the beyond the pale of ideological and Achashveroshes – to isolate, sanction, military conflict. An Amalek mindset What would have happened to punish and persecute the Jews. operates differently. It is specifically Europe, and beyond, if not for The Mordechais and Esthers must the civilians, the non-combatants, the heroic leadership of Winston display clarity and courageousness who are the aim of their terror. Churchill in the 1940s? Charles in confronting this evil in the face Hamas and Hezbollah terrorize Israeli Krauthammer, America’s sorely of fierce opposition and impossible civilians just getting on with their missed preeminent columnist, argued odds. And the ultimate role is played lives. Al-Qaida, ISIS and the like do that Churchill’s role in confronting by the Almighty, behind the scenes, the same in cities around the world. Nazism was so indispensable that it masking the indispensable face of made him the most important person Providence in the drama of human Iran today is the greatest supporter 5 of international terror and has its of the 20th century. What enabled and Jewish destiny. own diabolical aspirations for nuclear Churchill to be the right statesman at the right time was his absolute clarity hegemony. 9/11 showed us just what 1 The Netziv (HaEmek Davar, Exodus warped minds of terror could conjure of vision of what Nazism stood for 17:14), distinguishes between the nation up. There seems to be no limit to the and aspired to achieve and what the of Amalek which no longer exists and the immoral perversion and distortion of right response was to that evil. ideology of Amalek which persists to this heart and mind. day. From countless articles in the 30s, it is 2 Regarding Israel: “Israel is holy to G-d, the Terrorism, as fitting for an Amalek- evident that he, more than anyone else, first of His grain…” (Jeremiah 2:3). type ideology, exists outside the understood and articulated the looming Regarding Amalek, in Bilaam's prophecy: moral consensus and international threat. In 1935, many branded him as “When he saw Amalek, he took up his convention of normative political, an extremist sowing panic and viewing parable and said, “Amalek was the first of the nations, and his fate shall be everlasting military and societal living. the world in simplistic, black-and-white terms. By 1940, none of his critics destruction” (Numbers 24:20). Yet if one thing is clear, could doubt him. In our nuclear age, 3 The Malbim on the above verse says that understandable and proven about Churchill’s brand of leadership, courage none of these five reasons at the core of all normative military conflict were present Amalekite anti-Semitism it is this – it and clarity of vision is more critical here. begins with the Jews but never ends than ever. 4 Rambam (Laws of Kings and Their Wars with them. One can be sure it will Yes, life is very nuanced and 1:1). Based on the Talmud (Sanhedrin 20b), spill over to all fair-minded, good the mitzvah of remembering and confronting the – ְ ּכ ַל ל ִי ְשׂ ָר ֵא ל people around the world. Buildings complex and must be viewed with Amalek is a mitzvah on and planes in New York, trains in great sophistication. And yes, this Jewish people as a collective – and is to be Madrid, buses in London, night clubs Amalek-type hatred is rooted in a implemented by the king. Indeed, Rabbi in Bali, schools in Toulouse, stores in small minority with the majority Meshulam Roth in his Halachic responsa (Kol Mevasser 2:42) notes that majority of Paris and coffee shops in Sydney are being good, peace-loving people. Chairman Nevertheless, we have to be very opinions rule that this mitzvah is incumbent all fair game. Radical Islamic terror upon the king. Mr. Harvey Blitz mindful that our own nuanced is the latest incarnation of Amalek’s 5 Things That Matter, p.22. Chief Executive global mission. sophistication does not cloud our Rabbi Doron Perez vision in dealing with this scourge Rabbi Doron Perez is Chief of evil. The great advantage of open, Executive of World Mizrachi Mizrachi Educators

Rabbi Reuven Taragin Rabbanit Shani Taragin HOW TO LEAD WHEN G-D IS SILENT hroughout most of Tanach, And who knows – perhaps it was to into the background, but turns him G-d instructs leaders how to serve at this time that you attained into the commanded (4:17). In the lead the Jewish people; the royalty” (4:13-14). Megillah’s central chapters (when the Tleader’s role is often merely to inspire reversal [VeNahafoch Hu] occurs), it is the people to follow. Nowadays, Mordechai does not have an explanation why Esther became Esther, not Mordechai, who plays an when we no longer have prophecy, active role. Esther brings Mordechai we lack such clear direction. This queen, nor does he have a prophecy back into the picture only after reality demands a different form of regarding the correct way forward Haman's plot is revealed and he is leadership; it requires leaders who can (hence ‘perhaps’) – but this does not speculatively determine Providence’s prevent him giving her clear directives hanged (8:1). Mordechai may be the way forward and convince others to regarding what Providence expects one to record the story, but it is a tale follow that path. from her. Thus, Mordechai is very highlighted by Esther’s leadership and much a model of leadership in a post- heroics. Esther ultimately played the Megillat Esther – a sefer bereft of prophetic era. Mordechai’s leadership pivotal human role in facilitating the prophecy (and the very mention of continues after the miraculous turn of heavenly miracle. G-d’s name) – presents models of events, in his authorship not only of such leadership. Although left to their the letters sent to reverse the decree By acting, Esther honors her forebears. own devices in determining a course (8:9), but also of the letters charging Esther’s risky act of faith glorifies the of action, Mordechai and Esther the Jews to immortalize Purim as a ancestry Mordechai says would be are successful in saving the Jewish holiday (9:20). lost if she failed to act. This is why people from a terrifying fate. They are when the Megillah mentions Esther’s excellent models for post-prophecy Megillat Mordechai to Megillat Esther authorship, a crowning moment of contemporary leaders. If Mordechai is so dominant, why is her leadership, it refers to her as bat the Megillah not named after him? Initially, the Megillah focuses on Avichail – Avichail’s daughter (9:29) Mordechai as dominant and pro- I believe the answer lies in the marked – for the first time since her initial active, while Esther is passive. change in Esther’s character at the appearance in chapter 2. Mordechai is formally introduced critical moment in the story. Esther (Esther 2:5-6), adopts Esther (2:7), responds to Mordechai’s rebuke not Leadership Takeaways discovers and foils the plot to kill only by taking action, but by taking We would be wise to learn important Achashverosh (2:22), and actively the reins of leadership. She responds lessons from these leadership models. responds to Haman’s scheme (4:1- not by consenting to his command, From Mordechai we learn of the 2). In contrast, Esther is taken with but rather by changing it – planning leader’s responsibility to question why the other girls to the palace, and parties for Achashverosh and Haman we find ourselves in the positions we eventually to Achashverosh (2:8- – and by expanding it to include 16). Her decision not to reveal her the Jewish people in the process do, speculate about what actions are nationality is based on Mordechai’s (4:15-16). expected from us, and ensure that we command (2:10). Esther’s first and others rise to the occasion. From independent action is described With this initiative Esther becomes Esther we learn that even those led only in chapter 4, when she attempts active commander rather than passive by others are not exempt from the to convince Mordechai to dispense commanded. Esther shows that responsibility of leadership. There are with his mourner’s clothes (4:4-5). Mordechai is not the only leader. moments in life when we are all called Indeed, when Mordechai directs her Furthermore, Esther reminds us that upon to lead and bring others into the to beg Achashverosh to prevent the Jewish salvation hinges not on the circle of action. genocide, she hesitates to act (4:11). heroic actions of individual martyrs, but on the individual’s ability to Rabbi Reuven Taragin is Educational Mordechai responds with sharp inspire the rest of the people to Director of World Mizrachi and Dean rebuke: “If you keep silent at this time, identify with the mission. relief and deliverance will come to the of the Yeshivat HaKotel Overseas Jews from another quarter, while you Esther’s emergence as leader not Program and your father’s house will perish. only eclipses Mordechai, who fades [email protected] 4 Rabbi Reuven Taragin Rabbanit Shani Taragin A MIZRACHI MESSAGE IN DISGUISE 1 ur Sages teach that Esther mock the Persian Jews for not answering Numerous midrashim hint at this implored the leaders in the Divine call of Shivat Tzion (Return to tension between the Jews in Israel Yerushalayim to canonize Zion). and those in the Diaspora and the OMegillat Esther despite its apparent two royal edifices in the respective 9 anti-Torah messages – including the Here are some of the satirical devices lands. In the description of the palace absence of G-d’s name, a heroine in the first eight verses alone. Note in Shushan the sophisticated reader who seemingly intermarries, and the stark parallels and literary should hear the sounds of the Mikdash connections between Achashverosh’s the omission of Eretz Yisrael! They 6 and see its vessels. The Mikdash in acceded and also instituted Purim as palace and the Mishkan/Mikdash: Yerushalayim HaBira houses the true King. The impending destruction of a Jewish holiday, for they recognized Following a six-month series the Jews in Shushan may be a Divine that there was a message, albeit of “Pentagon parties,” a seven-day punishment for their abandonment somewhat disguised, that must be feast is held in the king’s courtyard 2 of values – for preferring Shushan This reminds . ּו ִב ְמלוֹ ַאת ַהָּי ִמים ָה ֵא ֶּלה – .conveyed to future generations over Yerushalayim, for subjugating that ִמ ּילו ִאים us of the seven days of As we begin reading, we notice that themselves to Achashverosh rather should have been celebrated in the authors (Mordechai and Esther) than returning to the Land to serve Yerushalayim (reminiscent of the place the story in the historical G-d, and for replacing the Temple seven-day inaugural ceremony of context of Persia rather than the with the king’s palace! Hence, the one the Mishkan, or when king Shlomo Jewish context, i.e. highlighting sefer in Tanach that does not mention inaugurated the Beit HaMikdash)! the exile of the Babylonian-Persian Eretz Yisrael is perhaps the most Jews and their detachment from The colors, materials and Zionistic of all, subtly beseeching the their brethren in Israel. They also garments displayed at the feasts Jews in the Diaspora not to lose sight introduce us to events in the city of evoke the textiles described in the of their brothers and sisters in Israel, Shushan HaBira – the capital city. This construction of the Mishkan and their capital city of Yerushalayim, and implies much more than the palace's Mikdash. The juxtaposition of the their King, Who is waiting for their .return home ְּב ַהְראֹתוֹ ֶאת עֹשׁ ֶ ר ְּכבוֹ ד ַמ ְל ּכותוֹ – mere geographical location, for the words only appears ְוֶאת ְיָקר ִּתְפֶאֶרת ְּג ּדוָּלתוֹ only other city referred to as HaBira in Tanach is Yerushalayim (with the 1 Megillah 7a. 3 one other time in Tanach – in the 7 2 Beit Mikdash at its center!) This is description of the priestly garments. And thereby will never be annulled even after the first of numerous allusions to the Final Redemption. See Yerushalmi Megillah Why are the Jews looking at the palace 1:5. Jerusalem and the Temple in Megillat in Shushan as if it is the Temple, 3 Chronicles 1, 29:1 and 29:19. Esther; a means of (not-so) subtly and why are they marveling at the criticizing the Jews for remaining in 4 See Ezra 2:64. garments of the Persian king instead 5 Persia despite Cyrus allowing them to of those of the High Priest? Esther 4:14. return to their homeland and rebuild 6 For a longer version, see Rabbi Menachem their Temple. Many architectural and linguistic Leibtag’s “Megillat Esther: Its ‘Hidden’ parallels (e.g. inner court/outer court) Message”: www.tanach.org/purim.htm Only 42,360 Jews returned to 7 Exodus 28:2. 4 designed to criticize the Jews for Yerushalayim to do so, with the preferring the palace and neglecting 8 Haggai 2:8, Zechariah 8:9. remaining masses comfortably settled G-d’s sanctuary. 9 See Megillah 12a-b, 15b. in the Diaspora. Mordechai and Esther referring ,י-ס-ד composed the Megillah and Anshei The unusual verb Knesset HaGedolah edited and canonized to the establishment of a mandated Rabbanit Shani Taragin is Educational the work (Bava Batra 15a), deliberately drinking culture, reminds us of the Director of World Mizrachi. She lacing the text with poignant allusions to verb used in the establishment of the directs the Bellows Eshkolot 8 a makom acher – a different community Beit HaMikdash. Perhaps the authors and Mizrachi Lapidot Educators’ 5 of Jews. They employ satire to censure are condemning Shushan’s Jews for Programs in Matan and teaches in the Jews of chutz laAretz for their loss of indulging in a foreign culture of various women’s higher educational direction, identity and values. Through festivities instead of helping to build institutions in Israel humor, irony, and exaggeration, they the Mikdash in Yerushalayim. [email protected] 5 Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein purim: Cynicism vs Holiness Making a n Proverbs (27:21) it says Ish lefi When the Jewish people came out One of the Torah ’s core concepts KIDDUSH HASHEM mahalalo – a person according of Egypt, no one dared to threaten is kedusha. Kedusha is difficult to to their praise, which Rabbeinu them. The Torah describes the fear capture in one English word, though IYonah interprets to mean that a and trepidation that the nations felt in it is generally translated as holiness. person is known by whom and what the face of this people, which had just Kedusha entails designating something they praise. From their praise you will emerged victorious from Egypt, the for a specific purpose, making discover what is important to them superpower at that time, and which something unique. This is why the and what their values are. had witnessed the miracles of the 10 key component of a Jewish marriage plagues and the splitting of the sea. ceremony is kiddushin, signifying that Rav Yitzchak Hutner says that There was an aura of invincibility there is a special relationship here, there are some people – cynics – about the Jewish people, until Amalek and that this man and this woman who actually praise nothing. In launched their attack. have designated one another as their the language of our Sages, such a spouse, to the exclusion of all others. person is called a letz, a scoffer. For What gave Amalek the confidence The concept of kedusha conveys to us the cynic, life is empty; there is to attack the Jews? Their cynicism. that there is something special in this nothing worthy of praise, nothing They had heard of the plagues and world, and that this world is the very important, special or meaningful. the miracles but they cynically opposite of randomness. The theory Cynicism means looking at life coldly rejected their significance. Amalek’s of random evolution seeks to exclude and valuing nothing. Citing the worldview was based on a philosophy G-d from the creation of the world. It Midrash which compares Amalek to of randomness: life is meaningless claims that the awesome magnificence the letz, Rav Hutner says that this and makes no difference, and things we see all around us, in all of its insight about cynicism is the gateway just happen. Haman’s method of perfection, just came about by chance. to understanding the essential casting lots for a date for the genocide If that dismal view was true; if we are philosophical struggle portrayed by stemmed from Amalek’s worldview. all here because of some big accident, Purim. The word Purim represents the then life is indeed meaningless and philosophy against which the Jewish our behaviour, whether good or One key Purim question is: why did people were fighting at the time – the bad, moral or immoral, would make Haman cast random lots to choose a philosophy of Amalek, the worldview no difference. That is the ultimate date for destroying the Jewish people, that life is empty and random. cynicism. instead of planning and choosing an In contrast, Torah is founded on the appropriate date? Torah is based on a belief in purpose and Divine Providence. G-d created principle that human life is sacred. Haman came from the nation of the world and it is perfect by design; It is not just an accident. All human beings are created by G-d with a G-dly Amalek, the ultimate cynics. We see it didn’t just happen. Each one of us soul, and with a holy mission on earth. their true nature exhibited in the is in this world because G-d wants This is kedusha: recognising that life is first attack against the Jewish people, us to be here. He has given each of special, that what we do is special, and where the verse says asher karcha us a mission to fulfil, and therefore that every human being is special. Life baderech, who chanced upon you what we do is indeed meaningful is filled with purpose and meaning. on the way.The word karcha, from and important. Everything we do And that is what we celebrate with the the word mikreh, means by chance, on a daily basis has significance in great victory of Purim. indicative of Amalek’s philosophy that His eyes; it is neither random nor everything happens by chance. They meaningless. Amalek believed none of Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein is the believed in the randomness of life and this. They believed that nothing was Chief Rabbi of South Africa so were the ultimate cynics. important or special. [email protected]

6 Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski

Making KIDDUSH a HASHEM

orah Yiddishkeit is totally taking many young men to ER because dependent on the authoritative of their drinking. gedolei Yisrael. We can Tunderstand the written Torah only The Torah forbids making an altar of as the Talmud explains it, and we can a single rock. Although G-d desired know the Talmudic halacha only as the this in the days of the patriarchs, now poskim explain it. that heathens use this as an altar, G-d despises it. One of today’s single For generations, it has been a practice rocks is excessive drinking, which is to drink wine to excess on Purim, widespread and gives rise to many as the Talmud says, to the point of serious problems. We should have zero not knowing the difference between tolerance for excess drinking. “Cursed be Haman and blessed be Mordechai.” By the way, when the The basic mitzvah, You shall love wicked are punished, it is a blessing G-d, has elicited questions from for the righteous, and vice-versa – the commentaries. How can one be when the righteous are blessed, it is commanded to love G-d? Love is an a punishment for the wicked. What emotion, and one cannot be ordered difference is there really between to love. The Talmud (Yoma 86a) punishing the wicked and rewarding explains that the mitzvah is to make the righteous? You probably cannot G-d beloved by others, i.e., to behave tell the difference when sober, so what in a manner that will cause others to is the point of drinking? appreciate the beauty of the Torah and A common error is to drink until you to respect G-d. don’t know whom you are cursing and whom you are blessing. That is not Obviously, when a person drinks to what the Talmud says. excess, one’s behavior is obnoxious and this results in observers losing Drunkenness is ugly. The Shulchan respect for G-d and Yiddishkeit. Aruch (695:2) cites the Talmud, and Rama says that it is enough if one We have an opportunity to make a true drinks a bit more than usual and then kiddush Hashem by following the ruling takes a nap. The Mishna Berurah says, of the Mishna Berurah, and having a “This is indeed appropriate.” dignified Purim.

I believe it is a chilul Hashem to get Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski is a drunk and throw up on the sidewalk. psychiatrist and founder of the Rabbi Shmuel Kamenetzky says that it Gateway Rehabilitation Center in indeed an aveira (sin). Hatzala reports Pittsburgh [email protected]

7 Ask the Rabbi

Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon Rabbanit Sharon Rimon DRINKING ON PURIM

ava said: One is obligated the Rif (Megillah 3b) and Rosh nonsense, but rather joyful in to drink on Purim until (Megillah 1:8) cite Rava’s statement pleasure, which leads one to love he cannot distinguish without comment and omit the G-d and express gratitude for the R(ad delo yada) between “cursed is story entirely, implying that there miracles He performed for us. Haman” and “blessed is Mordechai.” is indeed an obligation to become (Megillah 7b) completely inebriated on Purim. The Shulchan Aruch (695:2) cites Rava’s statement without comment, This famous statement is difficult to Many Rishonim take the third indicating that he accepts the view understand, as it does not seem to fit approach that maintains an of the Rif and the Rosh. In contrast, with the general halachic approach, obligation to drink wine but limits the Rema cites the views of the with its emphasis on maintaining the extent of necessary drunkenness. Orchot Chaim and the Rambam. intellectual clarity at all times. Accordingly, the Mishnah Berurah The Rambam rules (Hilchot (695:5) concludes that one should The continuation of the gemara Megillah 2:15) that one should drink more than he is used to, to the is also challenging. The gemara drink wine until he falls asleep out point that he falls asleep. relates that Rabba and Rabbi Zeira of drunkenness, thereby attaining once celebrated the Purim feast the goal of “ad delo yada.” Tosafot In practice, the reality today is that together, and they became drunk. (Megillah 7b) similarly writes that imbibing alcohol and becoming In his stupor, Rabba killed Rabbi one should drink only to the point drunk can often have a damaging Zeira. When Rabba realized what that his words become slurred and effect on one’s health and wellbeing, he had done, he prayed for mercy, unclear.Rabbeinu Yerucham (Toldot and disrupt society. Therefore, it is and Rabbi Zeira came back to life. Adam VeChava 10:1) writes that best to drink only a small amount The following year, Rabba invited one need only achieve the level of of wine on Purim. Each individual Rabbi Zeira to once again join drunkenness at which he can no should ensure that the small amount that he drinks leads to spiritual him for the Purim feast, but Rabbi longer compute the mathematical attainment and not to inappropriate and ָא ּרור ַה ָּמן Zeira declined, as he did not wish values of the phrases behavior. The alcohol should .both of which are 502 , ָּב ּרו ְך ְמֹר ְ ּד ַכי to rely on a miracle of resurrection serve to release one’s inhibitions happening again. Obviously, less wine is necessary in somewhat so that he can attain order for one to achieve the states There appears to be a clear holiness – and not, G-d forbid, the described by these Rishonim. contradiction between the gemara’s opposite. Women should avoid initial statement and the story The Orchot Chaim (Megillah drinking even more than men, as that follows it. The story implies VePurim 38) maintains that one alcohol has a stronger effect on that drunkenness is dangerous, should drink “somewhat more than them. and the simple conclusion from he is used to, so that he will be The Slonimer Rebbe (Netivot this would appear to be that one very joyful and will make the poor should not become drunk on Purim Shalom, Purim, p. 57) writes that happy.” He unequivocally rejects the on Purim, we have the ability to – in contrast to Rava’s statement possibility that one is obligated to regarding the obligation to drink to reach our inner core even without become drunk on Purim: drinking wine. He notes that the point of loss of lucidity. For drunkenness is utterly Rava states that one is obligated We find three approaches among the forbidden, and there is no greater sin to become drunk “bePuraya” – in Purim, i.e. one should become Rishonim to explain this puzzling than this, as it leads to immorality inebriated not through wine, but gemara. and murder and many other sins. through the lofty power of Purim According to Rabbeinu Ephraim The Meiri (Megillah 7b) elaborates itself. (cited in Ba’al Ha-Me’or, Megillah on the nature of the obligation: 3b in the Rif’s pages), the point Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon is Head of of the story is to demonstrate that We are not obligated to become Mizrachi's Shalhevet Educational Rava’s statement was rejected; one drunk and to demean ourselves out Advisory Board, Chairman of the should not, in fact, drink wine to the of joy, for we are not commanded Halacha Education Center and Rabbi point of “ad delo yada.” In contrast, to be joyful with frivolity and of Machon Lev

8 Rabbi Yosef Zvi Rimon Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

THE MEGILLAH’S OFT-MISSED MESSAGE

he story of Megillat Esther Moreover, over the centuries, the the Beit HaMikdash, most of the takes place in exile and Jews in exile have made many nation preferred to remain in exile describes how the Jewish attempts to develop close relations instead of confronting the myriad Tpeople were saved from the decree with the rulers so that they could challenges involved in making 5 of those who wished to destroy have influence in the government aliyah at the time. Megillat Esther us. Although G-d’s name is not and some measure of control over describes the high price those Jews their fate. Mordechai and Esther are mentioned in the Megillah, the paid for remaining in exile. precise orchestration of the events the paradigms of this, as they rise to brings about the salvation of the key positions in the government and Life in exile entails many challenges, Jews, clearly indicating that it is succeed in convincing the king to ranging from spiritual assimilation Divine Providence that guides save their people. to physical destruction at the hands everything that takes place in the Of course, Haman’s decree of of anti-Semites. While it is true story. annihilation is the first of many that G-d watches over the Jewish anti-Semitic decrees imposed on people even when we are in exile – In many respects, the story of the 3 Megillah reflects the history of the Jews in exile. The Megillah as described in Megillat Esther and the Jews in exile over the course of story tells of the Jewish people’s as proven throughout history – the thousands of years. miraculous survival despite all the calamitous events experienced by attempts to destroy us and the ever- our people exact a toll and prove to First, we find that the Jews of the present danger of assimilation. us again and again that life in exile is Diaspora wanted to be partners Thus we celebrate Purim not only not our natural habitat. in the culture of the nations to commemorate a distant historical among whom they lived, just as Yes, there are still many challenges event, but also to remind us of the the Jews of Persia participated in making aliyah, but an important Divine Providence that guides in Achashverosh’s feast. Indeed, the Jewish people and allows us message of Purim is to embrace according to Rabbi Shimon bar to survive and thrive despite the the opportunity to return to Eretz Yochai, this was the reason the Jews lengthy exile and the existential Yisrael and renew our national and were threatened with annihilation at 1 dangers – both physical and spiritual spiritual independence. the time of the Purim story. – that we have faced and continue to We further find that the Jewish face throughout history. 1 Megillah 12a. people has persisted in maintaining But that is not all. Jewish identity throughout the 2 Esther 3:8. generations, despite living among Megillat Esther also reflects another 3 Pharaoh’s decrees against the Jews were other peoples. In fact, this was oft-ignored historical reality. The issued before they were considered a unified Haman’s precise accusation against events of the Megillah took place at nation. us: the same time as the Return to Zion. 4 See Ezra, ch. 1. Achashverosh was one of the Persian 5 These difficulties are described in the “There is a certain nation, scattered kings of the Achaemenid Empire, books of Tanach written at that time: Ezra, and dispersed among the other which began when Cyrus conquered Nechemia, Chaggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. peoples in all the provinces of your Babylonia. Cyrus permitted the Jews realm, whose laws are different from to return to Eretz Yisrael and rebuild 4 those of any other people and who the Beit HaMikdash. Nevertheless, Rabbanit Sharon Rimon teaches do not obey the king’s laws, and it although the Jews were permitted to Tanach and is Content Editor for the is not in Your Majesty’s interest to return to Eretz Yisrael and although Herzog Tanach website: 2 tolerate them.” some had already begun to rebuild www.hatanakh.com/en

9 Mrs. Shira Smiles

2 he joy of Purim, writes Rabbi eradicate the Amalek, the doubt will do and we will hear, with the Zev Leff, is knowing without within ourselves. Purim is a time of gift of the Torah. But sometimes our any doubt that G-d is in perfection, a time to make everyone initiative is not enough. Although Tcharge and runs the world, even when happy, to give to the poor and the Queen Esther and Bnei Yisrael we ourselves are so confused that we orphan so that they too can be happy, fasted for three days, that was not can’t tell the difference between the to unify the world. enough to counter the decree against good and the bad. It is Amalek, the us. G-d then told us to move aside nation of Haman, that symbolizes Rabbi Reiss, quoting Chazal, points and let Him do what was necessary. this doubt, a doubt introduced to out that Haman is alluded to in Sometimes our knowledge gets in our G-d’s question to Adam after the sin, the world when Adam and Eve ate of own way. We think we’re in control. HaMiN HaEtz – did you eat from the forbidden fruit and blurred the 1 When we’re drunk, we have no control the tree? The doubt that Amalek difference between good and evil. and leave G-d to do His work. When re-instilled in Bnei Yisrael after the we relinquish our control on Purim, it The Netivot Shalom says that the Exodus, and the doubt and fear that is appropriate to ask Him to grant us mitzvot of Purim help us to resolve Haman instilled in Bnei Yisrael, all those things we feel we are incapable these doubts and to make us whole stem from that same sin, relying on of achieving on our own. in all of our relationships. By reading human senses and human logic to the Megillah, we achieve wholeness determine one’s actions rather than on Let go. Let G-d. with G-d as we see His hand in all, G-d’s will. The repair is to sublimate whether we feel close to Him with our will to His. Interestingly, Rabbi Schorr in Baruch Mordechai or distant from Him HaLekach VeHaLibuv writes that the with Arur Haman. He always takes Rabbi Roth z”l in Sichot Eliyahu plague of darkness in Egypt occurred care of us, as we always remain His expands on this idea. It was human on Purim. But the Jews had light in all children. With the mitzvot of Mishloach reasoning rather than the Torah that their living spaces and wherever they Manot and Matanot LaEvyonim, we informed the decision of most of the went. With this light they were able to create a sense of closeness with Jews to bow down to Haman, for they see all hidden things. This light comes others and society at large. When we reasoned it was dangerous to defy the down to us each Purim and allows us send to our close friends, it is a sense king’s command in public. However, to see into the recesses of our souls. of Baruch Mordechai, and when we when it comes to Jewish law, one When we can use that light to give include people with whom we do not must sublimate one’s personal reason ourselves over to G-d, we can redeem necessarily have a close relationship, to G-d’s will and understand that He ourselves from our constraints and whom we may perceive as Arur knows best. On every holiday we offer experience the light and miracle of Haman, we are blurring the difference something to G-d. On Sukkot we give Purim throughout the year. between the two. Finally, when one up our houses, on Pesach we give up elevates drinking wine from a purely bread, and on Yom Kippur we give physical pursuit to a spiritual pursuit, up physical comfort. On Purim, we 1 Genesis 3:11. Note that the allusion is one is creating an integrated whole of give up our personal and subjective found in the context of a question, an his spiritual and physical natures. understanding and reasoning. awakening of doubt. 2 Exodus 24:7. The goal of Purim is to reach the Rav Pincus z”l notes that G-d level before Adam’s sin, when we saw responds to our initiative. He Mrs. Shira Smiles is a sought- everything as good, when there was responded to our national after international lecturer, a no doubt about it, when “Cursed is circumcision and redeemed us popular seminary teacher, and an Haman” and “Blessed is Mordechai” from Egypt; He responded to our experienced curriculum developer were both good. Our mitzvah is to declaration of Na’aseh veNishma – we [email protected]

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THE BEAUTY OF ILLUMINATED JUDAICA

e are known as the People historical context in which the of the Pass- of the Book, Am HaSefer book was produced. over Haggadah in Hebrew, a civilization Graphic Novel Wrooted in foundational texts that are Writes award-winning novelist, “respectful yet studied, interpreted and illuminated. Dara Horn: “This isn’t just an playful.” While we recite Megillat Esther from art book, it is a history of the a parchment scroll on Purim itself, Jewish imagination. Looking creative renderings of the text have At first you through this been captivating our attention for look at these new work, one hundreds of years, encouraging art- pictures and see cannot over- ists around the world to express their only the strange- look how Gorf’s imaginative interpretations of each ness of a time lively imagina- narrative. While there is certainly no beyond your own. tion combined dearth of adorned Megillot, no book But as you move with Erez’s in Jewish history has been illustrated through Cohen’s incredible illus- more often and in more variations eloquent commen- trative abilities than the Passover Haggadah – the tary, you enter the imbue every story of the birth of a people. most immortal of single page with color, stories, lived and personality, richness, This column will focus on two mag- celebrated in every and nuance that only nificent new works that are bound generation up to ours. today’s generation will appreciate. to enhance the upcoming Passover I was surprised to find myself holiday. moved beyond words.” The diversity of these two works shows how illuminated Jewish texts Signs and Wonders: 100 Haggadah The Passover Haggadah Graphic bear the mark of their own time and Masterpieces by Adam Cohen, Asso- Novel is a gorgeous new visual place. Despite variations, the core ciate Professor in the History of Art rendering of the exodus narrative message in every Passover Hagga- at University of Toronto, is the first by acclaimed Batman comics cre- dah remains the same: to be a free, book to survey ator Jordan B. Gorfinkel unified nation living vibrantly in our the magnificent (“Gorf”) and Israeli artist own homeland. L’Shana HaBa’ah history of the Erez Zadok with transla- B’Yerushalayim! illustrated Hagga- tion by David Olivestone. dah through seven This vibrantly-illustrated centuries, from work integrates a brand the Middle Ages new, modern translation to contemporary into sophisticated and fun ORDER ONLINE & GET FREE times. Focusing on sequential art that brings GIFTS! Buy Signs and Wonders the finest exam- and the Passover Haggadah the epic story to life. The Graphic Novel and get FREE ples, the large-size graphic novel pages are SHIPPING to your local pickup coffee table book presented alongside location, FREE Koren canvas reproduces each the unabridged, tra- tote bag and a FREE paperback copy illustration in full ditional Seder text of the Sacks Haggadah! Available exclusively on orders in Israel from www. color, alongside in Hebrew and korenpub.com/koren_en_ils with promo short descrip- transliteration, and tions that explore code: MIZRACHI-ISRAEL. Specific details accompanied by regarding the pickup location will be sent the meaning of ‘how-to’ instruc- via SMS. Paperback Sacks Haggadah the imagery, the tional cartoons. includes translation commentary by achievement of the Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Offer valid until artist, and the larger The New York Times calls the tone April 7, 2019. Marriage

Dr. David Pelcovitz

TOThree COPE WITHWays THE CHALLENGES OF MARRIAGE

ny time that a couple views repeatedly show that families that Gottman finds that when couples something as a challenge, value periods of cheshbon haNefesh, make that small shift in their it helps to have a mindset soul searching, are stronger and relationship – turning towards – thatA helps strengthen the relationship. deal better with life’s stresses and marriages can improve no end. Here are three ways to build that challenges. 3. You Never Know mindset: 2. Turning Towards 1. Staying in Touch I often hear couples complaining John Mordecai Gottman, one of the about how much better their friends’ It’s extremely important to stay in world’s leading marital therapists, gave marriages seem to be. “Why can’t you touch during the week, to talk, to a talk to a group of about 300 rabbis. treat me like he treats her? Why can’t show interest in each other. He spent two days teaching the basics you be more easygoing with me like of how to help couples with shalom so-and-so?” That should be obvious, but bayit (marital harmony). And now sometimes husband and wife should First, it’s never helpful to compare I keep hearing the rabbis say, “You take a step back and stay in touch yourself to others. You never know know how he made a difference in my with their goals. Psychology research what’s really going on in somebody life? Two words: “turning towards.” shows that every time we examine else’s home. I can’t tell you how many our goals – whether in marriage, as Gottman showed a video of couples times I’ve had people in my office sitting down and comparing, and parents, as Jews – it actually makes spending a week in his laboratory I have to bite my tongue because I for higher happiness levels and better at the University of Washington. know that later I’m going to be seeing relationships. As it says in Proverbs He observed them and gave them the very couple they admire to try and (29:18), “b’ain chazon yepara am” – feedback on their marriages. He salvage their marriage. when there is no vision, the people highlighted one point in particular. It’s go wild. Without that vision, we will a couple sitting down for breakfast. You know what the research shows? grow apart from what and whom we Husband reading the paper, sipping That if you spend just a few minutes cherish. his coffee. Wife looking out of the every day or a number of times a window at the beautiful lake on week deliberately reminding yourself So make time during the week to campus. She turns towards him and of what it is that you love and admire check in with each other and with says, “Aren’t we lucky to be able to and are grateful for in your spouse – it yourselves about where you’re going. spend the week here working on our actually makes a shift in your shalom My favorite way of thinking about this marriage?” And he says, “Uh huh,” and bayit. are the three questions Jacob tells his continues to read the sports news. family to prepare for as they are about to confront Esau: who are you, where That moment, says Gottman, is 1 Rabbi Kalonymus Kalman Shapira, the Rebbe are you going, and what are you going a moment of choice, a nekudat of the Warsaw Ghetto. 2 to do with what you have?” haBechirah – the point of choice in a 2 A reference to Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler’s 1 assertion that a person only has free choice Says the Piazecner in the name of marriage that makes all the difference. It’s easy to fix. When she starts a in a very circumscribed area – their “point of the Ba’al Shem Tov, another way of choice.” Each person has a different point of potentially serious conversation, he reading the words v’avadetem meheirah choice. (usually translated as ‘and you will has a choice – either to go back to Dr. David Pelcovitz holds the be lost quickly’), that we say in the the newspaper or to say to himself, Gwendolyn and Joseph Straus Chair Shema, is to get rid of the rush in your “There’s nothing more important in in Psychology and Jewish Education life. my life now than to turn towards my wife and talk to her about something at the Azrieli Graduate School of Stop. Grasp the power of stillness. Ask important. And there is nothing more Jewish Education and Administration yourself those three questions. Studies important than our relationship.” at Yeshiva University 12 Parenting

Rabbi Elisha Aviner

TALKING TO TEENAGERS any years ago, before I enough to cope with their emotional involving their parents in their feelings began to specialize in needs by themselves. Hence, it is but they expect more – they want adolescent education, I unnecessary to invest in emotional understanding. In the hot spots of thoughtM that success in educating our communication. Talks should be to parent-child debate, the child asks for teenagers was dependent on our (the the point and practical, as only fitting understanding despite disagreement. parents’) educational policy, and on for an adult. It is important to children that parents the messages and content we transmit do not ridicule or ignore their opinion to our children. Wrong. Someone who is on the way but that they try and understand their to becoming an adult is not an adult. perspective, reasons and needs. I thought that if we guided our He or she is in the process of building. teenagers on the right path and Emotions are developing and evolving If the parents do not understand, the transmitted “positive” messages, we and emotional needs are huge. youth is deeply offended. And this could hope for educational success. ‘wound’ becomes deeper because it’s Despite their outward appearance, Similarly, healthy dialogue was also his or her own parents. If strangers our teenagers still need warm important – and a useful skill to don’t understand, it’s not pleasant reinforcement and emotional support, acquire – but it wasn’t really at the but we can cope, because they’re not and they do want gentle parental heart of our children’s education. expected to understand anyway. They accompaniment. Even at this age, are also not usually connected in any However, as the years passed, I dialogue fulfills a major role in deep emotional way. have learned that dialogue with emotional support. Because if our our children is not an option or an children don’t receive it at home, they But a child expects his parents to at occasional and useful tool. It is the will search elsewhere for what they least make the effort to understand. If core of our educational efforts. To need, for better or for worse. he senses that they do not understand paraphrase the Kuzari – it is the root him, he hurts. And to reduce the In short, healthy communication of faith and the root of rebellion. In pain he could choose the option of with our teenagers is a fundamental other words, healthy communication detaching himself from them, keeping element of education: 1. It’s the glue with your teenager is the key to a safe distance and limiting contact. educational success, just as deficient that connects children and parents, communication with your teenager is and the condition for imparting There are parents who are scared that a recipe for educational failure. values in all areas of life – personal, any expression of “understanding” religious, social, etc. 2. It is crucial their child’s behavior will be Why? Because if our communication for addressing the young person’s construed by the latter as approval, is no good, we become detached from emotional needs. legitimization. Therefore they each other. We stop being relevant in avoid it and only confront him or his or her life. Even if we offer the best What is emotional dialogue? her when they disapprove of their educational guidance, it is worthless, In contrast to an informative behavior. This is a mistake. We because the child won’t listen. If we conversation, void of too much can simultaneously demonstrate are not relevant for them, neither are personal content, the emotional genuine understanding and genuine our educational messages. conversation relates to personal experiences, feelings and emotions. disagreement: “I understand you, I There are those who believe that First and foremost, it shows an understand where you’re coming from conversations with children only interest in what the adolescent is and what you need. However, despite fulfil an important role at a younger going through. Not only what we that, I think it would be better to act age. A child needs support and want from them, or what we don’t differently, and here’s why.” encouragement, coddling and like about their behavior, but what indulgence. A warm conversation Rabbi Elisha Aviner is a teacher in is important to them, what occupies the Yeshivat Hesder Ma'ale Adumim supplies all that. But when he or their mind all day and every day. she reaches adolescence, they do and Founder of Lev Avot, which not need hugging and pampering For many adolescents, even this kind advises parents with adolescent for the sake of it. They are mature of dialogue is not enough. They enjoy education issues [email protected] 13 G-d’s Hidden Call

will come a time when there will be higa’at lamalchut. And who knows – hester panim, a time when G-d’s face perhaps it was to serve at this time 4 is concealed and it seems as though that you attained royalty.” This is He has stopped communicating with the ultimate statement of hashgacha us. The story of Esther is alluded to pratit, Divine Providence. It reflects in the warning of hester. the fundamental belief that G-d never abandons us, that He puts us where Esther is one of only two books in we are – with these gifts, at this time, Tanach that do not contain the name with these dangers, and in this place of G-d, the other being the Song – because we have something to do. of Songs. But whereas the Song of Even when G-d seems to be “hiding,” Songs is a book about G-d’s love for if you listen hard enough, you can us, Esther is a fearful book; it records hear Him calling to us as individuals: the first warrant for genocide against “U’mi yodei’a im la’et kazot higa’at the Jewish people, the attempt “to lamalchut!” Was it not for this very destroy, to slay, and to exterminate challenge that you are here in this all Jews, young and old, children and 3 place at this time? women, in a single day.” Esther comes from an almost secularized world, one The third book of the Torah begins in which we search for the presence of with the words, “Vayikra el Moshe,” G-d in history and fail to find it. “And He called to Moshe.” In a Torah scroll, the word “Vayikra” is written Indeed, Purim is the only festival in the Jewish year based on an event that with a very small letter aleph at the took place entirely in galut, in exile. end, so that it could also be read Every other festival is either based as “vayikar,” “And He happened on an event that happened in Eretz upon.” These two words sound the Yisrael or on the journey toward Eretz same, but are in fact completely Yisrael. Purim alone is set in the place different, even opposites. Mikreh of hester panim, when we are outside describes something that happens of the Land and where it is harder to coincidentally, without Divine feel the presence of G-d. Providence. Mikra, in contrast, is used to describe a calling from G-d, Nevertheless, there is one line in the a direction to fulfill a particular 5 Megillah that represents the most task. Why, then, is the aleph written powerful statement in Judaism that lthough the book of small, blurring the line between G-d has not abandoned us. Esther was the last book of these two terms? To teach us that it is sometimes difficult to hear G-d’s Tanach to be canonized, When Esther hesitates to intercede call. It might even be a silent call, a ourA Sages attempt to find a hint to it with King Achashverosh regarding kol demama daka – a voice you can in the Torah: “Esther min ha-Torah the fate of the Jewish people, given 1 hear only if you are listening. Even in minayin?” They find the hint in the the dangers of doing so, Mordechai the worst hester panim, G-d is always ominous promise, “V’anochi haster responds strongly: “If you keep silent astir panai bayom hahu,” “And I will calling upon us to act. 2 at this time, relief and deliverance hide my face on that day.” G-d’s will come to the Jews from another One of my great heroes was most fearful warning is that there quarter… U’mi yodei’a im la’et kazot a man called Victor Frankl, a

14 Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks G-d’s Hidden Call

psychotherapist in Vienna who was of the State of Israel. Individual Jews “nefesh achat ke’olam malei,” a single 7 imprisoned in Auschwitz during and Jewish organizations made great life is like a universe. You can begin to World War II. In all of history, there efforts to speak to the President in the change the universe the only way any was never a period of greater hester White House, but every attempt was of us can – one life at a time, one day panim than that of the Holocaust. Yet rebuffed. Even Chaim Weizmann, the at a time, one act at a time. Victor Frankl was a man of faith, and leader of the Zionist movement at the he knew G-d was calling on him to do time, was refused a meeting. Someone We must always ask ourselves: What something even in Auschwitz, at the remembered Eddie Jacobson, and he does G-d want of me in this place, at gates of Hell itself. He decided that was asked to try to convince President this time? There is always something G-d wanted him to give his fellow Truman to meet with Weizmann. He wants of us, and we don’t have to prisoners a will to live, because only if And that is exactly what happened! be anyone special to have a sacred they were to have that will would they Truman could not say no to his old task. We can be a Jewish woman called have the strength to survive. So he buddy, and he agreed to the meeting. Esther or a Jewish man called Eddie, approached each prisoner whom he As a result, the United States voted yet somehow or another, our acts may thought was about to fall into despair, in favor of the creation of a Jewish have consequences that we cannot and he gave them a role in life, one State. In fact, the United States, even begin to imagine. Even in a world they had yet to accomplish. This sense under Truman, was the first county of hester panim, in which we look for of renewed purpose helped compel in the world to recognize the State G-d and have a hard time finding Him, these men, women, and children to after Ben-Gurion’s Declaration of He still calls out to us: “Umi yodei’a im stay alive, to survive Auschwitz and Independence. le’et kazot higa’at lamalchut?” Was it fulfill their calling. Even in Auschwitz, not for this moment that I placed you Victor Frankl heard the call – a If it can happen to Eddie Jacobson, it here on Earth?! Vayikra with a tiny aleph. can happen to any one of us. “Perhaps it was to serve at this time that you So when G-d calls, may each of us Then there is the story about a man attained royalty!” G-d calls upon each have the courage to respond, “Hineini! named Eddie Jacobson, an ordinary of us, even when there is hester panim, Here I am, G-d. Tell me what to do Jewish boy from the Lower East Side even when the Vayikra is written with and I will do it.” of New York who moved as a child a small aleph that can barely be seen to Kansas City. He became buddies or heard. You are here for a reason! 1 Chullin 39b. with another boy there, eventually 2 Deuteronomy 31:18. doing military service alongside him The Rambam writes that a person 3 during World War I and opening a should always consider himself and Esther 3:13. 4 business with him after the war. When the entire world as if they are evenly Ibid. 4:13-14. the business failed, they drifted apart. poised between merit and sin. One’s 5 See Rashi, Leviticus 1:1, who notes this Eddie Jacobson became a traveling next deed may tilt the balance of his distinction in comparing G-d’s interactions with Moshe and Bilaam. salesman; his friend, Harry S. Truman, life; it may tilt the balance of someone 6 ended up as President of the United else’s life, and it may even tilt the Laws of Repentance 3:4. 6 7 States. balance of the universe. We never See Sanhedrin 4:5. know the possible consequences of In 1947-48, it became evident that our actions, but one action or one the declaration of a Jewish State in friendship may ultimately change the Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks is Emeritus Israel would be possible only with world. the recognition of the United States, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew but the State Department advised the You don’t have to change the world Congregations of the Commonwealth President not to support the creation to change the world. We believe that @RabbiSacks . www.RabbiSacks.org

15 THE ISRAELI ELECTIONS: Everything You Need to Know

By Shoshana Kordova the screen and slide the sealed envelope hen Israelis go to the polls through a slit in the lid of the blue on April 9, they will be ballot box in the room. picking a party, not a prime Wminister. So how exactly will Israel’s For the second election running, the next leader get into office? Here’s the electoral threshold will be 3.25%, rundown... meaning that a party needs to win at least 3.25% of all votes – representing Stage 1: Election Day some four Knesset seats – to secure parliamentary representation. Every Israeli citizen 18 or over who is located in Israel on Election Day The higher threshold is the reason the is eligible to vote for one registered so-called Arab parties – United Arab political party. Any Israeli citizen aged List-Ta’al, Balad and the Arab-Jewish 21 or over has the right to stand as a Hadash – all run together under the candidate. Joint List ticket. It is also why small parties may join up with other factions A party must be legally registered with closer to Election Day, in a bid to give the party registrar to run in the election, themselves a better chance of passing or an alliance of factions can decide to the electoral threshold. run together. The distribution of Knesset seats Israel did hold two direct votes for to each party passing the threshold prime minister in 1996 and 1999 is determined by proportional (Benjamin Netanyahu beat Shimon representation: all valid votes are Peres in the first but lost to Ehud Barak divided by 120 (the number of seats in in the second), but has since reverted Knesset), to determine how many votes back to the old electoral process in entitle a party to a single seat. which citizens vote for one party. Voter location doesn’t matter, since the whole The number of Knesset seats allotted to country functions as one district and each party is a result of the total votes it voters cast their ballot for a party, not a receives divided by the number of votes particular candidate. for a single seat. Since this allocation does not generally fill all the seats in Despite this being Startup Nation, the Knesset (some of the votes will the actual voting process is very low- have gone to parties that don’t make it tech. Voters present their national into the parliament), the party or party identification cards at their assigned alliance with the most surplus votes polling stations and are given a blue gets an extra seat, and so on until all envelope for the ballot. They step 120 seats are filled. behind a screen, where the ballots for all the parties are laid out, each party’s Once the ballots have been counted and members having already been chosen surplus votes allocated, Israel will have by the party. Voters pick a ballot, place a 21th Knesset – but no prime minister. it in the envelope, step out from behind Yes, the head of the largest party in THE ISRAELI ELECTIONS: Everything You Need to Know

the Knesset often ends up serving as establishing a coalition – meaning the – then Chaim Herzog – the right to premier. But does it have to be that candidate who has the support of the decide whom to task with forming a way? No. It’s still only the first stage. most MKs. The President is under government. Peres got the first shot no obligation to assign the task to but failed to come up with a coalition, Stage 2: Party Recommendations the leader of the largest party in the and Shamir became prime minister Knesset if that party does not have the again. All elected parties can now most support. recommend a candidate for prime The second candidate has 28 days to minister (though they are not The President is also authorized to form a coalition, with no possibility obligated to do so), and submit the recommend a unity government, in of an extension. The law also recommendation to the President. which two parties share power and provides for the possibility that the They can recommend the head of any rotate the premiership, but does not second candidate will fail, in which of the elected parties, including their have the power to impose it against case a majority of MKs can ask the own. their will. President to task another candidate with forming a coalition in just 14 One of the major factors in this Stage 4: Coalition Building days. If the third candidate fails as decision is which parties will serve well, the Knesset is dispersed and new in the governing coalition. Even the The candidate chosen by the elections are held within 90 days. largest party can’t go it alone, since President, after consultation with partners are needed to form a coalition the Knesset, does not become prime Stage 5: Knesset Confirmation of at least 61 MKs before a new minister until he or she forms a government can be sworn in. coalition that is confirmed by the Once the prime minister-designate Knesset. has formed a government, the Since there can be no prime minister coalition must report to the Knesset without a coalition, the premiership The candidate has 42 days to form a what its basic policies are, which is always a function of both the size coalition (well, 28 days plus a 14-day parties are in the coalition and who of the largest party and the size of its extension the President can grant). If will get which portfolio in the cabinet. political bloc, says Reuven Hazan, the candidate fails to win the support chairman of the Political Science of at least 61 MKs in that time, the The Knesset needs to confirm Department at the Hebrew University President can task another candidate the coalition in an investiture of Jerusalem. with forming a coalition. vote – essentially the opposite of a no-confidence motion. Then But the issue of political blocs often That happened to Shimon Peres the Prime Minister and the new takes on an outsize role because the in 1990, during what has become government, Israel’s 35th, will be largest parties nowadays rarely secure known as “the stinking maneuver.” sworn into office. over 30 seats. “The further a party gets Peres, who was chairman of the Labor from 61 seats, the more important its Party at the time, had attempted to (Adapted from an article that first partners are,” says Hazan. withdraw from a unity government appeared in Haaretz.) with Yitzhak Shamir’s Likud and form Stage 3: Presidential Decision a government with Shas.

Once the President receives the After the unity government was recommendations, he assigns the task toppled in a no-confidence motion, Shoshana Kordova is a freelance of forming a government to the party Likud and Labor each had the support writer, editor and content strategist leader who has the greatest chance of of 60 MKs, giving the President [email protected] 17 Some Hidden Treasures in Megillat Esther

his listening to the people and sparing (1:1-2) she longs for his kisses and Agag, while Mordechai does not listen caresses but then hopes just to be able to others and intentionally snubs to smell his smell. The sense of smell Haman. By taking an unpopular stand can help recover lost memories as if and not compromising his ideals, they are still fresh. A widow will hug Mordechai causes Haman to overreact her husband’s clothes even when she and precipitate his own downfall. cannot physically be close to him. This aspect of leadership must have been inherited from Yehuda, who The names Esther and Mordechai had shown his willingness to take allude to the sense of smell. Esther unpopular stands when he persuaded is Hadassah, a myrtle branch with מירא – a strong smell. Mordechai his brothers not to sell Yosef and suggests the myrrh from the – דכיא when he admitted his relationship holy oil. But Esther is also the same with Tamar. gematria as shoshana (661), and we Esther actually has a Hebrew name, immediately think of the metaphor like a rose among“ , ְּכשׁ וֹשׁ ַ ָּנה ֵּבין ַהחוֹ ִחים Hadassah, but for the rest of the Megillah she is known by the Persian, thorns,” which is an apt description Esther, or Istahar, which means moon. both of Esther and of Am Yisrael at Esther reminds us of hester panim, a the time of the Megillah. The rose is ִאישׁ ְי ּהוִדי ָהָיה ְּב ּשׁושַׁן ַהִּבָירה ּושְׁמוֹ situation in which Divine Providence trapped among many thorns, but its ְמֹר ֳ ּד ַכי... ִאישׁ ְי ִמ ִיני... ַו ְי ִהי ֵאֹמן ֶאת ֲה ַד ָּסה .is not readily apparent, but concealed fragrance is pervasive and enchanting ִהיא ֶא ְס ֵּתר. )אסתר ב:ה-ו( within natural events. G-d’s name is Thus, while the Jewish nation in he word yehudi only occurs absent from the entire Megillah to exile cannot tangibly experience in the final prophets, from demonstrate this point, although it the Shechina’s presence, they can at Yirmiyahu onwards. Does it is hinted at in crucial moments. Even Tmean from the tribe of Yehuda? If so, least sense the Shechina’s redolence Istahar sounds like sahar, a crescent, through Mordechai and Esther, just what is the reference to yemini, one of reminding us of the moon when most as a woman can use her olfactory the tribe of Binyamin, as Mordechai’s of it is invisible. ancestors clearly are? Chazal are sense to reunite with her husband. puzzled by this, and their answer When the Jewish nation is in exile, Both Mordechai and Esther had the Divine Spirit, and , ר ּו ַ ח ַה ּ ק ֹ ו ֶד שׁ is cryptic – “Rabbi Nachman said: they are likened to a woman whose stems – ֵר ַיח – Mordechai was crowned with a good husband has left her and she evokes the word for smell When . ּרו ַח attribute” (Megillah 12b). his memory in many different ways. from the same root as Esther, forcibly taken to the king’s the wife in Shir HaShirim discovers What Chazal mean is that Mordechai palace, is not just an individual. She that despite her husband’s efforts had an amalgamation of the twin is a symbol of her nation’s removal to find her, she has missed him, she ִשׂ ְפתוֹ ָתיו :characteristics needed to defeat from their beloved Land, from describes him to her friends his lips were“ ,שׁ וֹשׁ ַ ִּנים ְנֹטפוֹ ת מוֹ ר ֵעֹבר Amalek. Hailing from Binyamin, the Shechina’s warm embrace, to a a tribe whose father never bowed situation where G-d is ostensibly akin to roses, dripping with myrrh” to Esav, he had the independence hiding His Face. (5:13). Metzudot explains that she is and stubbornness to fight Amalek, remembering her husband’s smell, but and also the leadership qualities Our yearning for G-d is analogized she uses the metaphors of shoshana sorely lacking in his ancestor Shaul’s in Shir HaShirim as the yearning of and mor, the same ones that describe treatment of Amalek. Shaul’s sin lay in a bride for her beloved. At the outset Mordechai and Esther. 18 Some Hidden Treasures in Megillat Esther

Rabbi Yoel Domb Some Hidden Treasures in Megillat Esther

mind, the mind of an idol worshiper and G-d by hurting us and making us ַּב ֶחֹדשׁ ָהִראשׁ וֹ ן ּהוא ֶחֹדשׁ ִנ ָיסן ִּבשׁ ְ ַנת שׁ ְ ֵּתים and omen believer, there is no feel that there is nobody protecting ֶעְשֵׂרה ַלֶּמֶלְך ֲאַחשְֵׁורוֹשׁ ִהִּפיל ּפּור ּהוא ִּב ַּקשׁ ְ ִּת ּיהו ְוֹלא escaping one’s fate. He is so sure of us. At the moment that ַהּג ָוֹרל ִל ְפֵני ָה ָמן ִמּיוֹם ְליוֹם ּו ֵמ ֶחֹדשׁ ְל ֶחֹדשׁ we searched and did not , ְמ ָצ ִאת ּיהו his success that he is willing to wait שׁ ְ ֵנים ָע ָשׂר ּהוא ֶחֹדשׁ ֲא ָדר. )אסתר ג:ז( an entire 11 months (an eternity in find G-d, they add bitterness to our ְמ ָצ ֻא ִני ַהׁ ּש ְֹמִרים ַה ּס ְֹב ִבים .This verse would appear to be a political terms) for an opportune desolation the night-watchers“ , ָּב ִעיר ִה ּכ ּו ִני ְפ ָצ ּעו ִני pivotal point in Megillat Esther. moment to attack; hence the reference For the first time we encounter to the month of Nissan. found me and hit me” (Shir HaShirim .(the name of the 5:7 , ּפ ּור the concept of the month Haman cast his lots, but other lots , ֲא ָדר festival, as well as in which we celebrate it. Haman’s were cast in heaven to achieve a The Bnei Yissachar (Adar 3) adds that actions appear out of character for favorable outcome, and therefore the primordial snake did the same such a powerful figure; he should we can assume that the author of the thing to Chava, placing doubts in her simply go to the king and obtain an Megillah is making one of his cryptic mind about G-d’s existence to make , ַהִּׁש ֵיא ִני refers her sin. He says that the word ִה ִּפיל ּפ ּור .order to destroy the Jews. Yet Haman references to G-d is shrewd and realizes the Jews have to G-d, and this was the same lot as which Chava uses to describe how she that came up for Haman. was beguiled by the snake, is a strange ּג וֹ ָר ל not survived for so long by chance. He the The . ֵאין and ֵ י שׁ puts their success down to luck and Haman is indeed a bystander, not word, but it includes sets out to find a formula with which realizing what is happening when he snake used Chava’s moment of doubt, is there or isn’t there? – to – ֵישׁ ֵ-אין he can detect their unluckiest hour. takes his chances. We however can .plural), the persuade her to sin) ּפ ּוִרים now celebrate may simply transformation of Haman’s lots into ּפ ּור The intriguing word favorable ones for us. If we look at Haman uses chance to attack the ּג וֹ ָר ל be a translation of the Hebrew it really can have two Jewish nation. Chance is also a form , ּפ ּור fate, destiny, casting lots. We also the word – need to understand the plural form – opposing connotations, because by of doubt. If things occur by chance, used to describe the festival changing the letters, one way we can there is no Providence coordinating – ּפ ּוִרים is also the ּג וֹ ָר ל as “they weakened”, and them. Therefore ָר ּפו even though only one lot is cast in read ֲע ָמ ֵלק the Megillah. The syntax of this verse by changing them another way we same numerical value as they multiplied” or “grew”. (minus one) since the Amalekites“ , ָּפ ּרו is also peculiar. It should have said get Haman may have sought to weaken ascribe everything to chance, hence ִהִּפיל ָהָמן ּפּור ִמּיוֹם ְליוֹם ִהִּפיל ּפּור ּהוא sounds as if Haman us through his lots, but the opposite they “chanced” upon us on the way ַהּגָוֹרל ִלְפֵני ָהָמן Deuteronomy 25:18). Mordechai’s) . ּפ ּור ָה ָמן ֶ"נ ֱה ָפ ְך" ְל ּפוֵר ּינו :is a bystander while the lots fall by result ensued themselves. And why is the date way of fighting this doubt is by adding can ַוְי ִהי ֵאֹמן ֶאת ֲהַד ָּסה of casting the lots so prominently Haman’s battle is essentially a more faith, and displayed? continuation of Amalek’s war against now be interpreted as inculcating the opposite of , ֱא ּמו ָנה Israel. Amalek’s gematria is the same Esther with ָס ֵפק After the Megillah, some as , “doubt”, since his primary the doubt and skepticism sown by congregations recite a poem stating goal is to place doubt in our hearts Amalek. and weaken the intense feelings of ּפּור ָהָמן ַנֲה ְפֹך that we rejoice because .which we feel towards G-d ֱא ּמו ָנה Haman’s lots were turned , ְל ּפוֵר ּינו into our lot. Haman was actually Amalek attacks at the very moment Rabbi Yoel Domb is a teacher and ֲ ה ֵ י שׁ ה ' right in picking Adar, as it is indeed that Yisrael ask themselves is G-d in our midst or the author of Hidden Treasures of ,ְּבִקְרֵּב ּנו ִאם ָאִין our nation’s weakest time. But he did not reckon on Divine intervention not? Seizing upon this doubt, Amalek the Megillah. He is a son of the late changing the lots in our favor. In his seeks to widen the chasm between us Professor Cyril Domb 19 Torah Im Derech Eretz Par Excellence: Professor Cyril Domb Professor Cyril Domb, whose of Mishna study cycles. Many other attempting to define and demonstrate 10FOR Practical PURIM NIGHTWonders distinguished career as a professor shiurim and events stemmed from this “systematic methods of Torah study.” of theoretical physics spanned three vibrant organization. Despite his prestigious career (he was decades at King’s College, London, In the 1960s, Professor Domb the only Orthodox scientist conferred and another two decades at Bar Ilan embarked on another phase of a Fellow of the Royal Society), University in Ramat Gan, succeeded public activity, at the behest of the Professor Domb was essentially in his public Jewish profile in Lubavitcher Rebbe, who asked him, a devoted family man. He never straddling diametrically opposed one of the leading Orthodox scientists allowed work to interfere with family camps and opinions and initiating of his era, to lecture and write on occasions and invested much time and fruitful enterprises within each camp. topics of Torah and science. Over a effort in educating and encouraging He achieved this feat with both grace period of 40 years, Professor Domb his children in their scholastic and geniality, as he truly loved and dealt with dilemmas posed by science pursuits. appreciated every person for what to religious belief and, using his broad they were and hated schisms and knowledge and acumen, succeeded in An ardent Zionist already from youth, sectarianism. finding solutions for many of these Professor Domb meticulously planned problems. He served as head of the his career to enable him to make In the early 1950s, he collaborated aliyah at the first opportunity. After with his dear lifelong friend Harry British branch of AOJS (Association of Orthodox Jewish Scientists) retiring early, he strove to promote Schimmel in establishing Hovevei and published numerous articles, Bar Ilan University and Machon Torah, an organization dedicated culminating in the hugely popular Lev, where he served as academic to disseminating Torah and raising book “Challenge,” which he edited president. Even after retiring from the low and undemanding standards with Rabbi Aryeh Carmell. his professorship, he established of observance in Anglo-Jewry. The BADAD, a magazine devoted to issues highly successful organization Professor Domb’s zeal for Jewish of Torah and science. The initials fostered the study of Mishna by education led him to assume the of the magazine – BeKol Derachecha individuals and groups and attracted role of Minister of Education in UK Da’ehu – “Know G-d in all your ways” some of the prominent Gedolim of Chief Rabbi Jakobovits’s “cabinet” – epitomize Professor Domb’s ability the time – including the Ponevezher of communal leaders, and he set an to recognize G-d in all manners of life Rav and Chief Rabbi Herzog – to visit example himself by teaching and and to sanctify His name wherever he England and celebrate the completion lecturing in different institutions, went. May his memory be blessed. A Woman's Soul

Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi

10FOR Practical PURIM NIGHTWonders

is a time for – ּפ ּוִרים – very Jewish woman is Queen Himself sends you a huge portion of 9. Purim Esther. Why? The Hebrew Mishloach Manot: .and matchmaking ( ּפ וֹ ִר ּי וֹ ת) fertility literally means Couples are very prominent in the ַמְלַּכת ֶאְסֵּתר theE Queen of Esther1. It should have 5. The moment of the initial blessing Megillah – Vashti and Achashverosh, on reading the – ַעל ִמְקָרא ְמִגָּלה – ,Esther the Queen ,ֶא ְסֵּתר ַהַּמְלָּכה said Zeresh and Haman, and of The Queen, Esther. Megillah, we read about a revelation ,ַהַּמְלָּכה ֶאְסֵּתר or course Mordechai and Esther. So On Purim, each of us is a Queen of of a hidden world exposed once a year, immediately after the Megillah Esther. It’s as if we are part of her; we the world of Mordechai and Esther – a reading, pray for children and receive something of her powers and world in which decrees are annulled, shidduchim (the Shla HaKadosh). of reversal of ,ְו ַנ ֲהפוֹ ְך ּהוא strengths, magic from her majesty. On a world of the night of Purim, we proudly wear fortunes – from which G-d sends you 10. A special emotional time of her crown. a generous helping of “abundance, purity, mercy, marital partners and Divine Will. Midnight on Purim eve Here are 10 segulot (acts with righteous children” (Rabbi Yosef Caro). is a powerful moment. The Midrash metaphysical potential) for this tells us that at this hour G-d heard sublime night of Purim: 6. During the Megillah, open your the sounds of bleating from the city heart to serenity and comfort. Why of Shushan: “What are the sounds of 1. Before you go to hear the Megillah, did Esther request “write me down young goats in My ears?” He asked put a beautiful tablecloth on the table for generations”? So that future His entourage. They replied, “It is and light two candles, in memory of generations could find solace in the the voice of Your children, the little Mordechai and Esther. Megillah story, at all times. children of Israel about to die under Haman’s decree.” 2. Leave a bowl of nuts and seeds on 7. You don’t read the Megillah. You the table – in memory of Esther who pray the Megillah (Rabbi Ziskind), So at midnight on Purim eve, the time was stringent about keeping kosher because it is about you. At every G-d is listening to the cries of infants in Achashverosh’s house and ate only “Haman,” think about your greatest and annulling decrees, stand and say nuts and seeds. troubles. When he rises to power, the following: “Hashem, I am your be worried. Your problems and fears 3. Wear a festive outfit! The Megillah daughter and You are my Father! It are controlling you. When they hang tells us that clothing brings about says a father must find a shidduch him, rejoice, because it means your for his daughter - You must find me a שׁ ֹ ו שׁ ַ ַ ּ נ ת ַי ֲ ע קֹ ב ָצ ֳ ה ָ ל ה ְו שׁ ָ ְ מ ָ ח ה :salvation own personal release and victory is at The rose shidduch I am Your daughter! It says“ ,ִּבְר ָאוֹתם ַיַחד ְּתֵכֶלת ְמֹרְּדַכי hand. of Jacob rejoiced and was glad a father must provide for his daughter when together they saw the blue of 8. The moment the 10 sons of – send me a good living, I am Your Mordechai’s clothes.” Even before the daughter! It says a father must make Haman are hanged. The Chassidim decree had been annulled, Haman put say that each son represents one of his children happy. Make me happy the regally-dressed Mordechai on the our bad character traits, and as they Father!” horse and everyone saw and rejoiced. are hanged, we ‘kill’ our own faults So tonight, dress for redemption! On the night of Purim, G-d is and defects. So for every name, think incapable – so to speak – of saying no about one trait or habit you want to 4. Keep smiling. Please don’t be to prayers like these. angry! Purim is a holiday, a day ‘hang on the gallows.’ For example, ּ being = ( ַ פ ְ ר שׁ ַ ְ נ ָ ּ ד ָ ת א) of simple joy. We receive a special Parshandata 1 The phrase Malkat Esther seemingly ;”to interpret“ , ְ ל ָ פ ֵ ר שׁ Heavenly helping of joy today. There judgmental, from originated in songs and other sources in the ּ ( ַ ּדל ּות) a poverty = ( ַ ּד ְל פ וֹ ן) is no room for anger and annoyance Dalphon .1920s and 30s ּ being = ( ַא ְס ָפ ָתא) so says the Chida). mindset; Aspata) to Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi is a“ , ֶל ֱאסֹף easily offended, from During the Megillah reading there collect”, i.e. everything people say popular Israeli teacher, speaker and are special moments, when G-d about you), etc. writer 21 Rabbi Chaim Navon Binge Relationships Photo: Oren Barkai n the last two years, the number of TV channels that dictate what Ashkenazim Kulah (leniency),” of Israelis getting married you watch, you choose for yourself, thinking themselves at least worthy through the Rabbinate has at any given moment, from an of the Chief Rabbi position. Idropped by 10%. According to the unlimited range, with no obligation, Rabbinate, the number of Israelis at your own pace. You can even The world is pulling us to the Netflix getting married in civil ceremonies watch a whole season of episodes in model in our relationships as well. overseas has also decreased. There one night if you want. But there it bombs. In relationships, are more Israelis getting married bingeing is poison to the soul. Total in Reform ceremonies but the It works for Netflix in TV, for Spotify freedom, constant choice, switching numbers are small and do not affect in music, and for Amazon, Ali with no commitment – that’s an the general trend. No, the situation Express and eBay in shopping: huge insurmountable obstacle for any is not as catastrophic as it is in the variety, freedom of choice, 24/7, zero meaningful bond. States, but it certainly is worrying. obligation. To receive love and devotion one The Ministry of Religious Affairs The Netflix approach also works has to give love and devotion. Under suggests that it stems from a somewhat in data. When I was a the chupa we bless bride and groom “dramatic rise” in the number of child doing a project on Norway, that they should be like Adam and unmarried couples living together. I had to write to the Norwegian Eve in the Garden of Eden: she But that’s not accurate. According Embassy and beg them to send should always be the only woman to the Central Bureau of Statistics, me some material. They did. In in the world for him, and he should there were 83,600 unmarried Jewish Norwegian. It’s so much easier to be the only man in the world for her. couples cohabiting in Israel in 2014, collect information today. But we To reach this level, they must have and in 2017 there were 82,600. This often tend to get confused between already begun to behave like that: is approximately 6% of all Jewish information and knowledge. turning off the Netflix-emotions and couples in the country, and that dedicating themselves to each other. For example, you take a blood test number is dropping too. That means and one of the values is abnormal. It many more Israelis are living alone More and more people are finding always is. The next step is to search and their relationships are perhaps themselves jumping from one short on Google for what that means. You incidental and occasional. relationship to another. It’s not then reach the conclusion you’re necessarily their fault, and they do Yes, Israelis are part of a global trend about to die. About a year ago, a not always choose this lifestyle. It’s in this too. Historian Stephanie beloved relative of mine told her worth listening to them though, Coontz, in her important book, husband, “I looked on Google, and and trying to help those who are “Marriage, a History,” says that it seems I have a disease with a 50% genuinely searching for the perfect she intended to write about how chance of death.” To which her match. Look at the people around the current marriage crisis is not husband replied, “Lucky you! All the you and lend a helping hand where exceptional, that the conservatives rest of us have a 100% chance and you can. But also be aware of Reach over 200,000 people in are exaggerating, that there have you only have 50!” And then they global trends. A huge mountain of been similar trends in the past. But went to the doctor, who told them loneliness is rising higher and higher hundreds of shuls and communities then she discovered that there have they had got it wrong and everything in our world, and it’s a sight that never been so many people who live was fine. The beloved relative is alive crushes my heart. all over the US and worldwide alone. So many short relationships, and well, and has almost finished so much loneliness and so much cleaning for Pesach. (This article first appeared in Makor Rishon in Hebrew.) isolation. Can we really replace decades of It’s a pattern we see in many medical experience with 30 seconds Rabbi Chaim Navon is a renowned To advertise in HaMizrachi email areas of our lives: short, diverse on Google? Rabbis also have to deal educator and author. He wrote a book relationships, with no commitment. with similar issues, with people (in Hebrew) about Rav Soloveichik's [email protected] That’s the Netflix secret. Instead of looking up “Umbrella permitted teachings on relationships, sexuality committing yourself to a number on Shabbat,” or “Kitniyot Pesach and family 22 Short Thoughts

Sivan Rahav-Meir ‎

Photo: Oren Barkai Between the Lines Photo: Eyal Ben Yaish/Ma’ale HaYetzira

a break; time to contemplate between it detected a voice, it would spring ַּד ֵּבר ֶאל ְּבֵני ִי ְשָׂר ֵאל ְו ָא ַמְר ָּת ֲא ֵל ֶהם ָאָדם ִּכי one section and the next, between one into action. If all was quiet it would ַיְקִריב ִמ ֶּכם ְקֹר ָּבן ָלה' ִמן ַה ְּב ֵה ָמה ִמן ַה ָּבָקר matter and the other” (Leviticus 1:1). not record and thereby save space on ּו ִמן ַה ּצֹאן ַּת ְקִר ּיבו ֶאת ְקֹר ַּב ְנ ֶכם. the tape. peak to the Children of Israel Amazing! We just can’t constantly and say to them, When a man bombard ourselves with incessant I was very excited to use my new toy from you brings a sacrifice to information, even if it is important. and proudly placed it on the table Sthe L-rd; from animals, from cattle, And precisely because it is so in front of the rabbi. Rabbi Shapira or from the flock, you shall bring your important and sacred. We need a noticed the machine and asked what sacrifice. (Leviticus 1:2) break to listen, to absorb what we have was so special about it. When I told heard and appreciate the content. him that it would only record his Before we read about the laws of I once heard the following story from words and not his pauses, he looked at sacrifices in the Book of Leviticus, Rabbi Yehoshua Hartman, of the me and said, “If that’s the case, you’ll we are told that there were pauses Hasmonean High School in London: be missing out on the most important between each time G-d spoke to parts of my shiur!” Moses to give him new instructions Many years ago, I went to a lecture (from cattle, from the flock, etc.) by Rabbi Moshe Shapira and brought Sivan Rahav-Meir is a popular Israeli Rashi asks why the pauses? He along the latest technological wonder, journalist, broadcaster and author of answers that they were “to give Moses a voice-activated tape recorder. When #Parasha [email protected]

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Living our own Purim Story he Megillah itself tells Charvonah, can be discerned in our It apparently requires dangerous us that the memory and current world. But my fantasy Purim circumstances to bring about some commemoration of the days story has, as of yet, been unable to fit semblance of Jewish unity. Even then, Tof Purim will continue until eternity in the two main characters, the heroic there are always those who dissent, and never disappear from Jewish life. figures that make the story of Purim carp and criticize. They were present Extraordinarily, the Talmud expands timeless and eternal. in Persia long ago when the original this statement to mean that even Purim story unfolded, and they exist at the end of days when the other Who is to play the roles of Mordechai today in various forms, organizations commandments of the Torah may no and Esther in our current Purim and institutions. They always profess longer be necessary because of the scenario? Where are they when, great human goals and deep concern exalted state of spirituality within seemingly, we need them most? for the future of the Jewish people the Jewish nation and mankind as Against all odds, ignoring advice while at the same time taking actions a whole, the commemoration and from friends and threats from foes, that are detrimental to the Jewish memory of the days of Purim will Mordechai will not kneel nor bow present and outrightly dangerous to continue even then. down to false gods and cruel tyrants. the Jewish future. Queen Esther for her part risks life Jews live with a constant Purim story and limb, position and honor, wealth Mordechai and Esther are a little unfolding in all generations and over and comfort, to come to the aid of her too Jewish for them. They are too all time. The story of Purim, as it people in their hour of need. She is a brash, too stubborn, too clannish has come down to us through the Jewess first and only secondarily is she and are unnecessarily provocative. writings of Mordechai and Esther, the queen of Persia. Mordechai and Esther in their time is a story replete with individual did not receive universal approbation. characters whose personalities and These two people, Mordechai and It is only history, in its unfolding of actions define the story itself. These Esther, have set very high standards events, that has proven them correct characters are prototypes for later for Jewish behavior for all later and heroic. We cannot expect that personalities, ideas, plots and events generations. Criticized from within people who aspire to be Mordechai that occur throughout history. and persecuted from without, they and Esther in our time should persevered and through their loyalty be universally accepted, loved, Every generation is charged with and commitment to the Torah, people admired…and followed. reviewing the story of Purim in and the Jewish nation, brought about its time and to see the events and salvation and triumph. This is a reality of Jewish and human characters of its generation in the life that must be accepted and factored light of the grand heavenly scheme There are such people amongst us into the general pursuit of the good that Purim represents. Surveying today as well. Our task is to recognize and noble. Hidden miracles abound today's scene and events, I think that and identify them, strengthen them in in our current world as far as the I can identify someone who can fill their efforts and support them against Jewish people are concerned. Anyone the bill as far as King Achashverosh the misguided other Jews and non- who has the good fortune of living in is concerned. I can also cast someone Jews. All of us have the ability to fill the Land of Israel today instinctively as a humble and destroyed Queen in our own playbill with the characters realizes this on a daily basis. Let Vashti. – the heroes and villains, if you will – us strengthen ourselves and be and construct our own current living determined and strong as our current There also are an abundance of Purim story. We live in momentous Purim story unfolds around us. tyrants, haters and corrupt officials times where miracles abound for the who certainly can represent Haman Jewish people. Just as in the original Rabbi Berel Wein is Senior Rabbi of in our current reconstruction of the Purim story the miracles were hidden Beit Knesset HaNassi in Jerusalem Purim story. Even some of the minor and not necessarily obvious to all, so and Director of the Destiny characters of the Megillah, such as too is this the case in our time as well. Foundation

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Shlomie Lieberman Architecture and Interior Design www.shlomielieberman.com [email protected] 972-50-5306765 David M. Weinberg ‎ AGAINST UNILATERAL WITHDRAWALS iven the Arab regional position and moral standing. As Worst of all, unilateral withdrawals meltdown, the inroads the Lebanon and Gaza precedents will unnecessarily and unjustifiably made by radical Islam in the proved, unilateral Israeli withdrawals tear asunder Israel internal fabric. GPalestinian national movement, and only guarantee continuation of the It’s indefensible to tie a death-knell deep incapacities in the Palestinian conflict and even its escalation, not its tourniquet on Israeli towns in Judea Authority – it’s hard to believe that de-escalation. and Samaria – if at all – without anybody still hawks the same-old comprehensive and sustainable peace “solutions” for the Palestinian-Israeli arena. After the Israeli withdrawals outlined in the offing. in the plan, how is Israel going to be And yet that is what center- able to prevent the fall of Judea and Consequently, I prefer the views of left generals and Barak-Olmert Samaria to Hamas or one of the other Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror and era officials are doing, with the jihadist groups now swarming the Col. (res.) Dr. Eran Lerman, who presentation of yet another passé plan Mideast? If Israel reserves the right to were Prime Minister Netanyahu’s for unilateral Israeli withdrawals from raid the territories to root out Hamas national security advisors (and are Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). cells, how is that any different from now fellows at JISS – the Jerusalem Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin and a the situation today? And if the IDF Institute for Strategy and Security, group of colleagues at the Tel Aviv- keeps a significant troop presence on the leading conservative think tank). based Institute for National Security the hilltops and at key junctures, who They have written that Israel must not Studies (INSS) have suggested a will really consider this an end to the jeopardize its existence by embarking plan to separate Israel from the Israeli “occupation”? on rash initiatives – neither unilateral Palestinians. They would unilaterally withdrawals nor annexations – that Moreover, with Israel’s civilian create a contiguous Palestinian would radically worsen its security settlements in the Samarian “entity” under the control of the situation, just to please proponents of mountains asphyxiated, one can Palestinian Authority comprising “forward progress” at any cost. This imagine what will befall Israel’s rump approximately 65% of the West Bank risk is not worth taking. troop presence in the West Bank. and take steps to starve settlements Remember how badly Israel’s “security Amidst violent events, it is easy to be outside the so-called settlement blocs. zone” in southern Lebanon worked tempted to seek decisive “solutions” The “new strategic framework” is out? Israeli forces had no legitimacy to the Palestinian problem(s) – in nicely wrapped-up as professional and whatsoever, engendered sustained both Gaza and the West Bank – politically-neutral research that took a international opprobrium, and the through drastic military action, or year of intensive discussions to produce, IDF suffered constant casualties. through equally dramatic concessions. and is couched in high-soaring language Does anyone want to turn Judea and But given the lessons of recent history, about “taking Zionist initiative.” Samaria into southern Lebanon? as well as the unpredictable nature But essentially it’s the same plan for of regional events, it makes sense to Unilateral moves will not provide unilateral withdrawals in the absence of adhere to “conflict management” and Israel with diplomatic breathing peace with the Palestinians that General piecemeal arrangements. room either. Withdrawing from one Yadlin used as a political platform when part of the territories won’t convince This is not a cowardly choice by he stood as Zionist Union candidate for anyone that Israel has a right to keep hapless political and military leaders, defense minister in 2015. other parts. On the contrary: A partial but a rational choice in irrational Now, the leader of Israel’s new Israeli pullout will intensify the circumstances; even more so when the “centrist” political party, Lt. General illegitimacy of any remaining presence Iranian challenge looms larger than (res). Benny Gantz, has dropped hints in the territories. Every Israeli retreat ever on Israel’s immediate horizons. that he too sees the need for Israel to is taken as proof that the territories Patience has its own merits. unilaterally “shape a new reality” in are all stolen property that must be the territories. returned to their rightful Palestinian owners. Unilateral withdrawals will David M. Weinberg is vice president Unilateral Israeli withdrawals will bolster Palestinian maximalism, not of the Jerusalem Institute for neither enhance Israeli security engender Palestinian cooperation or Strategy and Security, jiss.org.il. His nor improve Israel’s international moderation. personal site is davidmweinberg.com 26 Phil Chernofsky

ait! Before you look it topsy-turvy (based on the obsolete kingdom, and Sara’s age when she up, you won’t find it. word turve, to turn upside down – it’s died. Both Sara Imeinu and Esther Numerophobia is the fear true; look it up!) in Adar those many HaMalka are referred to as being Wof numbers, so why isn’t numerophilia years ago. beautiful women. Here’s an interesting the love of numbers? But I digress. numerical connection. As noted, gematria, the letters reverse Esther is named 55 times in the את-בש In Megillat Esther has many numbers. order and the numerical values stay Megillah, plus once as Hadassah. Sarai replaces + Sara appear 55 times, plus once ש ,as 1 א replaces ת .You can turn any of the following the same !as 2, and so on. Now we have: more as Yiska, in Sefer Bereishit ב into questions and fun for family and guests at your Seuda. ָּב ּרו ְך ְמֹר ְ ּד ַכי = 300+3+80+30 )413( + The first verse starts us off with 7 596 = )183( 10+3+100+30+40 Number Bonus and 20 and 100, a number we were A matching numerical value doesn’t ָא ּרור ַה ָּמן = introduced to in Parashat Chayei Sara. + )486( 400+3+80+3 really prove anything, but it does More on that later. 595 = )109( 90+10+9 sometimes provide the cherry on top The numbers 12, 13, 14, and 15 show It’s highly unusual for two different of the ice cream sundae. up a lot. The 12th month is Adar. phrases to match gematria and be We all view Haman as the main villain One doesn’t .את-בש Haman’s plot was for the 13th of the only one off in of the Megillah. But how do you rank month. Fighting took place on the need much wine to not be able to add Achashverosh? The kindergarten 13th and 14th. And no more fighting numbers without error. version of the Purim story paints was on the 14th and 15th. Now ponder the real difference him as detached, distracted, gullible, Besides Adar, three other months between the two phrases… pleased with himself… but notice the are numbered and named. The first following scene. Haman approaches month is Nisan and the 3rd month Frequency of Names the king for his approval of the plot is Sivan. 10th month is Tevet. (You to kill all the Jews of the kingdom. should have many questions so far.) 7 Speaking of Mordechai and Haman Haman offers 10,000 silver talents to shows up many times: King’s advisors, (and others), Mordechai’s name the king’s treasury for the royal seal party for Shushan, Vashti’s party, occurs 58 times in the Megillah and of approval. The king obliges, gives handmaidens for Esther. At least once Haman’s 54. But add another 4 times his signet ring to Haman and tells more – in what context? for Zeresh and you get 58. Esther’s him to keep his money. Achashverosh name appears 55 times. Add one does not agree to Haman’s request .and you get 56. Close ֲה ַד ָּסה times in more for ַה ְּי ּהו ִדי Mordechai is called 6 because of the bribe. He apparently the Megillah. Who else in Tanach is Don’t give up though. Twice Esther shares Haman’s distaste for the Jews which and is equally enthusiastic about the , ַה ַּמ ְל ָּכה and where? No-one, is referred to simply as ְּי ּהו ִדי called a and – ְו ַה ֶּמ ֶל ְך ְו ָה ָמן ָישׁ ְ ּבו ִלשׁ ְ ּתוֹת .nowhere! brings us to 58! project the king and Haman sat and drank, – ֵחן is also the numeric value of 58 Numerical VeNahafoch Hu sharing equally in the plot to destroy charm, grace, inner beauty, a word the Jews. (95), (101), used 6 times in the Megillah in As is well-known, the two phrases that (95), (101) – sharing equally in connection with Esther. Achashverosh determine whether one is sufficiently the plot to destroy the Jews! .appears 29 times, which is half of 58 ָּב ּרו ְך – perfumed with wine’ on Purim‘ actually have the (Rabbi Nachman Kahana suggested Megillat Esther gives us a lot – ָא ּרור ַה ָּמן and ְמֹר ְ ּד ַכי same gematria (502). with a smile that this number relates of numbers to play with and to the king’s offer to give Esther up to consequently many topics to discuss But then it doesn’t make mathematical half of his kingdom.) and explore. Have a very enjoyable sense to drink until you don’t know Purim, but an educational one too! the difference. The Beauty Connection Phil Chernofsky is Educational Unless we apply the Purim concept We hinted at a connection between Director of the OU Israel Center in things were turned the 127 states in Achashverosh’s Jerusalem and Editor of Torah Tidbits – ְו ַנ ֲהפוֹ ְך ּהוא of 27 Purim Family Page

מִּשֶ ּׁנִכְנַס אַּדָרמַרְ ּבִים ּבְשִ ׂמְחָ ה Useful (or Useless) Purim Facts to share 10 with your family and amaze your friends When Adar Arrives We Increase Our Joy 1. Megillat Esther contains words that do not The Sages said, “When Av arrives we reduce [our] appear anywhere else in Tanach: joy, and when Adar arrives we increase [our] joy” • Tevet: the 10th Hebrew month (Ta’anit 29a). In saying this, the Sages teach us that • Kasher: fit (kosher) nothing happens by chance and that every season has its • Patshegen: a copy of the text own character and nature. If both Temples were destroyed • Achashdarpenim (see how fast you can say on the ninth of Av, it is a sign that the beginning of Av is that): Persian word for the King’s officers naturally a time of trouble. And if the miracle of Purim • Karpas: a Persian word for cotton. (Could also occurred in the middle of Adar, it is a sign that this month be used for parking… ) can transform bad into good. 2. All the letters of the Hebrew alphabet are found We feel ordinary joy over the good that exists in the in Chapter 3, verse 13. See if you can find them world, but our joy is not complete, because there is still all. evil and pain in the world. However, when even the bad turns into good, our joy increases and becomes complete. banquet) occurs 20 times in) מ ִש ְׁ ּת ֶה The word .3 This is what happened on Purim: God turned the bad into Megillat Esther (which is equal to the total of All good and saved His people, Israel. the times it appears in the rest of Tanach). So what? This teaches us that everything that happens in the world – even the bad – will eventually become good. 4. The longest verse in Tanach appears where? Wow! You're smart! Yes, Megillat Esther! See The greater our faith and our commitment to Torah, the if you can find it in Chapter 8. (The English closer we bring the ultimate redemption, when all evil translation is even longer!) will turn into good, and when joy will abound in the world. Since the month of Adar has the unique character 5. The Talmud tells us that on Purim one should of transforming bad into good, “when Adar arrives we drink until he can’t tell the difference between increase [our] joy.” “Blessed be Mordechai” ( ) and “Cursed (From Peninei Halacha, Zemanim, by Rabbi Eliezer Melamed) ּבָ רּוְך מֹרְּדְ כַ י Now, see if you can .(אָרּור הַּמָ ן) ”be Haman calculate the gematria (numerical value) of those two expressions. If there is no difference between the two numbers, it must mean you shouldn't drink at all (well, not wine anyway). What else Some Bad Purim Jokes could it hint at? Yossi: “Look at that bunch of cows!” 6. Did you know that there are towns called Ruti: “Not bunch, herd!” Esther in Missouri and Louisiana? Yossi: “Herd what?” 7. Did you know that there is a Queen Esther Ruti: “Of cows.” Street in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Beit Shemesh in Yossi: “Heard of cows? Of course I’ve heard of cows!!” Israel? Maybe in other places too but you'll have Abba: “Shmuli, please can you have a look at the left turn to come here and find them for yourself. signal on the car and tell me if it is working or not?” 8. The Hadassah organization was founded on Shmuli: “Of course I can, Abba. Yes ... no ... yes ... no ... Purim in 1912. Hadassah is Esther’s Hebrew yes ...” name. Mother: “Waiter, waiter! I’m in a hurry, will my matzah be 9. There are only 9 facts here, not 10. long?” Waiter: “No madam, it will be square!!” (Apologies, this is a Pesach joke and should have been cleaned out of here) The Fab Four There are four mitzvot on Purim, all beginning with the Together they form the word .מ – Hebrew letter mem mmmm… which I suppose would make M&Ms an ,ממממ appropriate candy for Purim… Reading the Book of Esther out loud – מְ ִג ּלַ ת אֶ סְ ּתֵ ר • Having a festive meal and rejoicing – מִשְּׁתֶ ה וְשִׁמְחָ ה • Sending festive food gifts to friends – מִשְׁלֹוחַמָ נֹות • Giving gifts (charity) to the poor – מַּתָ נֹות לָאֶבְ יֹונִים • Traditionally, the book of Esther is read out loud at synagogue twice on Purim: once at night and once during the day. In Hebrew it is called Megillat Esther, which means ‘revealing the hidden.’ What is hidden in the story? Well, G-d’s name is not mentioned at all. He is hidden. But the miraculous turn of events – from Haman wishing MIRUP DROW ELBMARCS to hang Mordechai and destroy the Jewish people to him Unscramble the following Purim words: himself being hanged and the Jews winning the battle – HASSNUH reveals that G-d was acting behind the scenes all the time. WOGALLS The same is true in our own lives. Sometimes we don’t THAIVS see G-d – perhaps when we’re sad or in trouble – but He NEUQE to turn our situation TRYTOLE – וָנַהֲ פֹוְך הּוא is always there, ready to around and make things better. Now that you’ve unscrambled the above words, take However, just like Mordechai and Esther, we have to act the highlighted letters and put one letter in each box first. And never give up hope. below to get the answer to the following question: What did the grape say when the elephant stepped on it? Nothing. It just let out a little ! IT'S A SMALL W RLD he story of Purim is a truly will have all your people killed! Just “Ha ha! I win Haman. It’s your Laos,” international tale. King Kuwait and see, you Turkey!” sneered Mordechai. Achashverosh was Finnish Twith his disobedient wife Vashti. Mordechai went into mourning and “That’s Niger here nor there, you Jew. It’s tore his clothes – a custom known just all pretty Nepalling if you ask me.” “You Congo now!” he ordered. as Korea. He urged Esther to plead with the king. The Jews fasted for So Haman was taken away and they After she had Ghana way, the king’s three days and grew very Hungary. counted his sons. The Itally was 10, messengers went Roman the land Esther approached the king and asked, and they were hanged along with their to find a new queen. India end, the “Kenya Belize come to a banquet I’ve father, the whole motley crew going gorgeous Esther won the crown. prepared for you and Haman?” At immediately to the Netherlands. the feast, she invited her guests to a “Ukreign now, Djibouti,” proclaimed second banquet to eat Samoa. To Sweden the deal, the king sent the king, who told the press, “I a messenger to Rwanda around the absolutely Andorra” (presumably Meanwhile, the king couldn’t sleep 127 provinces and allow the Jews to because she had brown hair, i.e. she and he’d forgotten about Mordechai's Polish off the rest of their foes as well. was a Brunei). intervention with Bhutan and Teresh. He must have had a Malaysia, most So they chose a date to Thai the “You lost your enemies and Uganda likely a bout of Indonesia. knot but it was too wet. “Bah, rain!” friend,” the king winked at Mordechai lamented the wedding organizers, It was only be Kosovo Mordechai that and Esther. And that’s why the Purim who were now rather Camerooned, he was still alive and on the throne. At story Israeli a miracle. G-d decided to because they'd taken quite a Gambia any rate, he ordered that Mordechai China light on His chosen people. So on this event. be rewarded and given the Côte let’s celebrate! d’Ivoire. However, they still had a banquet, Forget all your Syria’s business and with chopped Bolivia and a Middle Then the king asked, “Esther, why just be happy. Sudan around the eastern Cuba soup (fried in a special Jamaica big meal like this? Just tell me table, Serb up some wine (just Yemen Japan), making sure of course to what you want. Unto half my United though. Yewomen should Bangladesh recite Greece after meals. Kingdom will I give you.” Esther or Singapore. However, this does not replied, “It Spain full for me to say mean that men should Dominican Some time later, Mordechai sat this, but Haman is Russian to kill my women. Not at all. It’s a free country!) outside the palace, where the Chile people.” Haman would Czech up on him daily. Happy Purim! Haman’s loud Wales could be heard as “I Haiti you because you refuse he carried Honduran this scene. This story has been made into a mobile to bow to me!” Haman scolded app, called Purim Togo. Mordechai. “USA very stubborn man. “Oman!” he cried bitterly. “Iraq my You Jews are such Bahamas! If you brains in an effort to destroy the Jews. Adapted from an original piece by Meish keep this up, Denmark my words! I But that sneaky Mordechai – Egypt me!” Goldish and printed with his permission.

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