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Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Purim & The Month of Adar
- The Month of Adar
What about Tishrei, which has in it both Rosh Hashana, a pretty upbeat, happy holiday, as well as Sukkot, with its meals eaten al fresco, the only Chag that commands us, "v’hayita ach sameach" – you must only be happy!
Or what about Nisan?! That’s the month when we were finally freed from slavery, achieved independence & had umpteen miracles done for us. That’s not happiness?!
More on this in just a moment, but first, another question: Why is Esther called Esther, rather than her given name Hadassah (perhaps after the hospital?!)? The classic answer, of course, is that "Esther" connects to "nistar – hidden," since she wisely kept her Jewish lineage hidden from King Never-can-spell-his-name-right-in-English.
But I have another thought on the matter for you: The name "Esther – hidden" relates to much more than just one solitary person. It is a grand statement about the entire saga of Purim in Persia and in fact, it suggests a deeper, more profound comment on Jewish life itself.
The Jews of Shushan were baffled & totally besides themselves. Just the other day they were the sovereign’s sweethearts, close up & cushy with the king, sitting at his banquet in choice seats & sipping (kosher) wine. And now, in a flash, they’re destined for destruction at the hands of Haman the Heartless, without a clue as to their crime. "Why us?" they cry. "Where did we go wrong?"
And then, to their further chagrin, they see Esther strutting royally about the palace. "Hey, what is she doing?! Did she cut some kind of secret deal with the crown; did she sell us out?!"
But all this anxiety & foreboding suddenly turns upside down when the Jews get the news that Haman got the noose. Our salvation is kept hidden til then, but when it is finally revealed, our joy & jubilation knows no bounds. True happiness, you see, is when unexpected – maybe even undeserved - good fortune comes our way. And that is why Adar qualifies as #1 in the happiness column.
In truth, this describes all of Jewish life. We worry, we face enemies, we fixate on all the hassles & heartaches that we think surround us. Yet all the while, Mazal & miracles are being Divinely prepared for us; they’re only hidden til just the right moment. So on Purim - & every day – be happy!
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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Sukkot Bug-Free Sukkah: Essential Halachic and Practical Schach Guide
How to inspect, clean, and store bamboo mats and palm branches to protect your mitzvah and holiday meals.
Shoftim TESHUVA IN COURT OF LAW?
Parshat Shoftim-Chodesh Elul
Why does parshat Shoftim always come out during Elul? This innovative and central explanation is an eye-opener regarding many aspects of Judaism.
The Month of Elul TESHUVA IS THE ANSWER
The month of Elul serves as a vital time for self-reflection and personal accountability to prepare for true repentance.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
P'ninat Mishpat Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
