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Original Purim Tongue Twister: Shabsi shines shabbos shoes in Shushan

The following is something I wrote for a very special newsletter, The Jewish Alliance.   It is put out by The Alliance, a group of young, Cleveland Jewish adults brought together by Ahavas Yisroel (love of fellow Jew) and a responsibility to the Jewish nation.  It is my honor and privilege to serve as spiritual advisor to these fine people.  If only they knew how much they do for my spirituality!

Our Lot is with G-d

On Purim (March 8-9) we read the Megilah, which chronicles the story of Mordechai and Esther, and how Haman’s plan to destroy the Jews is foiled. Put together into a nice story with all the related events strung together it is easy to recognize what is happening. In reality, however, the story covers a period of 9 years! When it happened, it wasn’t even clear that this was a miracle worthy of being an ongoing holiday. It is only with analysis and great insight that the story can be pieced together. Purim means "lots". Haman drew lots to decide what month was the "lucky" time for the destruction of the Jews. In actuality, Purim teaches us the opposite, that what appears to be chance is really under Hashem’s supervision. In the desperate weeks before his crushing election defeat, Ehud Barak offered unimaginable concessions, including, it seems, control of the Western Wall - link to our past and our future. How could Arafat turn him down? It was obvious that Sharon was going to win. Arafat could have agreed in principle to Barak’s offer, maintaining a façade of "peacemaker" while putting tremendous pressure on Sharon to accept that framework. Miraculously, Arafat said "No". This is a great blessing. Hashem saved us from ourselves. May we learn from Purim that Hashem is in charge, and that our future is not in the hands of the Hamans of the world. We have been given a great gift in Israel. Let us not refuse it, or take it for granted. It can be taken, or given, away.

(Reprinted, with permission, from The Jewish Alliance, March 2001, Vol. 1 No. 2)

Why Are We So Happy On Purim?

I never understood Purim.  I always enjoyed Purim, but I never felt like I really understood it.  Why are we happy on Purim? Is it because the Jews were saved from extinction?  That is a part of it, but I don't think that is the central theme of Purim.  The real message of Purim is that Hashem is watching over us.  Purim is the holiday of the exile.  It was the first real miracle-everlasting holiday of the era of hester panim, the hiding of G-d's face.  The age of open, revealed miracles had ended, and was replaced by a time where G-d's presence is hidden.  Now we have to look to find G-d, He doesn't come openly to our door announcing himself.   Purim shows us that He is still watching and actively participating in our lives - He's just behind the scenes.  What greater joy can there be than to know that G-d is really there watching over us, with us at every step.  We only have to look to see Him.

H A P P Y   P U R I M !!!