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The Mitzvoth of Purim
Dear congregants,
Five, Four, Three, Two…have One nice Purim this year!
Five is important at Purim! Why? There are five mitzvoth connected to Purim. Five books of Torah, five robes of Mordechai, Five mitzvoth of Adar. The first mitzvah is that we try to be our happiest…marbim besimcha… when Adar comes. Therefore, put on a happy face! That’s very hard to compel folks to do and some have cause not to feel happy sometimes. It goes without saying that the uptick in crisis in Israel and antisemitism in diaspora are very concerning. Nonetheless we must take it from Cole Porter to “emphasize the positive” and Jimmy Durante, when he advises, “when you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you.” So we must try to find humor even in difficult times and see the glass half full…that much we can do, I am sure.
The next four mitzvoth are connected to Purim itself. And therefore four is an important number too. They are all mentioned in the Megillah story. The first mitzvah is to make certain to have a special feast of celebration (Hamentashen are strongly recommened!) But a feast actually requires breaking bread and having a substantial meal…why? Because the Jews were saved ‘body and soul’ on Purim and so we must pamper the body. The second mitzvah required is to give gifts to the poor. This is an excellent time to select a Jewish charity that helps feed the hungry either here or in Israel. A third is to give at least two separate gifts of food to loved ones or friends on Purim Day itself. At ENJC, do this through our wonderful Purim basket fundraiser in and around Purim. Finally, the fourth is to make certain that you hear the Megillah the “ganza megillah” read on Purim.
Three is also important at Purim: the three corners of Haman’s Hat! There are three villians mentioned in the Megillah: Bigtan and Teresh plot against the king! And of course the “ne’er do well” Haman. Another association is with Purim Mishulash, which is the three-day celebration of Purim in Jerusalem when Shushan Purim (when Purim is celebrated for walled cities) falls on a Shabbat. The festivities begin with reading the Megillah on Friday, then doing the al Hanissim Prayer only on Shabbat the actual day of observed Purim. (The Haftorah that day is from Samuel, the same one read the week before, and the Maftir is the section from Exodus about Amalek we read on Purim day). Sunday is the day of sending out gifts and having the Purim meal. The next “Three Day Purim” will occur in 2045. So get ready!
Many things happen in twos in the story…there are two banquets and two queens. There are two dinners that Esther prepares for Haman and the King. There are two times when Esther visits the king unannounced. There are two plotters against Ahashverus. There are two Purim days celebrated– one for regular towns and the other either in or attached to a walled city. (However it must be a very old walled city from the time of Joshua and Jericho!) There are two heroes, Mordechai and Esther, and two mentions of the Purim letter….I’m not sure why… could be making fun of Persian dualism, or maybe it’s saying something about the month of Adar, which every two or three years repeats itself! Whatever the reason, It is an important that you hear the megillah read not just once, but twice. As far as Adar is concerned—two is a charm…
This year Purim falls on Monday night March 6th and it shall be ONE wonderful time. Help bake hamantashen. Come in costume. Come to hear various congregants, Rabbi and Hazzan chant the “ganza megillah” in ‘voices’. Come and hear the “Not that Good” Singers in a rousing sing-along of “BYE BYE MR. HAMAN BAD GUY” (apologies to Don McClean). And the next morning, March 7th, we do it all over again in our morning service and megillah reading at 9 am.
Beth and I wish all a sisen freilichen Purim-- a joyful and fun Purim!