“RABBI’S
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Ta’anis Esther – week of Parshas Ki Sisa
13 Adar 5775/ March Forth ,
2015
2015
Who
generates the most excitement? I would venture to say it’s the Fed-Ex or UPS
guy. (By the way, did you know Fed-Ex and UPS are merging? It’s going to be
called Fed-Up. It’s happening on Tuesday after they take the word gullible out
of the dictionary).
generates the most excitement? I would venture to say it’s the Fed-Ex or UPS
guy. (By the way, did you know Fed-Ex and UPS are merging? It’s going to be
called Fed-Up. It’s happening on Tuesday after they take the word gullible out
of the dictionary).
Mail
can be exciting, but there’s also a lot of junk and bills that come in the
mail. But everyone loves getting packages. There’s a certain surge of
excitement one feels when the delivery man drops it off, even if the recipient
ordered it and knows what’s inside. That look of anticipation as one opens the
box and pull out its contents is worth it all.
can be exciting, but there’s also a lot of junk and bills that come in the
mail. But everyone loves getting packages. There’s a certain surge of
excitement one feels when the delivery man drops it off, even if the recipient
ordered it and knows what’s inside. That look of anticipation as one opens the
box and pull out its contents is worth it all.
In the
Staum house however, while the contents inside the box are exciting, that is
definitely not the main focus or excitement. In our home heated arguments break
out over who has first dibs on… the bubble wrap. There’s a certain thrill and
feeling of power that our children enjoy when they pop those poor defenseless
bubbles. Giving your parents a headache from the popping is just an added
benefit.
Staum house however, while the contents inside the box are exciting, that is
definitely not the main focus or excitement. In our home heated arguments break
out over who has first dibs on… the bubble wrap. There’s a certain thrill and
feeling of power that our children enjoy when they pop those poor defenseless
bubbles. Giving your parents a headache from the popping is just an added
benefit.
It may
sound somewhat silly, but on some level this is our story as well. We seem to
get really excited about the bubble wrap – the externals and trimmings, and
neglect the real inner essence.
sound somewhat silly, but on some level this is our story as well. We seem to
get really excited about the bubble wrap – the externals and trimmings, and
neglect the real inner essence.
In a superficial
society so focused on externals this is true on many levels. But perhaps it is
never truer than in regards to the holiday of Purim.
society so focused on externals this is true on many levels. But perhaps it is
never truer than in regards to the holiday of Purim.
Purim
is a celebration of life, and what that means to us as Torah Jews. On Purim we
were given a second chance and a new lease on life. It should give us a moment
of pause to contemplate what that means to us.
is a celebration of life, and what that means to us as Torah Jews. On Purim we
were given a second chance and a new lease on life. It should give us a moment
of pause to contemplate what that means to us.
Purim
is a celebration, not only of Judaism, but also of Jews. Haman wanted to
destroy us simply because we are Jews, therefore victory is achieved when we
love and respect each other for the same reason.
is a celebration, not only of Judaism, but also of Jews. Haman wanted to
destroy us simply because we are Jews, therefore victory is achieved when we
love and respect each other for the same reason.
Purim
is a celebration of thinking beyond ourselves – of worrying for the poor,
brokenhearted, and underprivileged. It’s a day to remember the incredible
selflessness of Esther on behalf of her people, and that we must strive to
achieve that selflessness as well.
is a celebration of thinking beyond ourselves – of worrying for the poor,
brokenhearted, and underprivileged. It’s a day to remember the incredible
selflessness of Esther on behalf of her people, and that we must strive to
achieve that selflessness as well.
But
many of us never have a chance to focus on the essence of the day because the
day is so fleeting and we are distracted by the bubble-wrap – the costumes,
themes of shalach manos, and what kind of wine to drink during the meal. All of
those things have their place, and I surely do not mean to demean or mock the
enjoyment of the day and bringing smiles to others through clever shalach manos
and costumes. But we need to go beyond the bubble-wrap to find the true gift
that is inside the external wrappings.
many of us never have a chance to focus on the essence of the day because the
day is so fleeting and we are distracted by the bubble-wrap – the costumes,
themes of shalach manos, and what kind of wine to drink during the meal. All of
those things have their place, and I surely do not mean to demean or mock the
enjoyment of the day and bringing smiles to others through clever shalach manos
and costumes. But we need to go beyond the bubble-wrap to find the true gift
that is inside the external wrappings.
Rav
Shimshon Pinkus zt’l quipped that Purim is known as a meshugana tog (a
crazy day). We think it’s a ‘crazy day’ because one can see a fellow dressed up
like Mickey Mouse dancing with a Rav or Rosh Yeshiva, or other such unusual
sights. But it’s a crazy day for a much more profound reason. Normally, there
is an exacting progression one must follow to achieve personal growth and closeness
with G-d. But on Purim the gates of heaven are wide open and our prayers ascend
uninhibitedly, allowing us to ascertain incredible blessings for ourselves and
Klal Yisroel. The growth one can achieve on Purim is ‘crazy’, it defies the
norm.
Shimshon Pinkus zt’l quipped that Purim is known as a meshugana tog (a
crazy day). We think it’s a ‘crazy day’ because one can see a fellow dressed up
like Mickey Mouse dancing with a Rav or Rosh Yeshiva, or other such unusual
sights. But it’s a crazy day for a much more profound reason. Normally, there
is an exacting progression one must follow to achieve personal growth and closeness
with G-d. But on Purim the gates of heaven are wide open and our prayers ascend
uninhibitedly, allowing us to ascertain incredible blessings for ourselves and
Klal Yisroel. The growth one can achieve on Purim is ‘crazy’, it defies the
norm.
On
this great holiday of unity and closeness, may we all take advantage and
appreciate the true essence of this special day, and merit all of the blessings
we all need and hope for, including the ultimate blessing. May the Hamans of
our time swing freely as their evil predecessor did, in those days, at this
time.
this great holiday of unity and closeness, may we all take advantage and
appreciate the true essence of this special day, and merit all of the blessings
we all need and hope for, including the ultimate blessing. May the Hamans of
our time swing freely as their evil predecessor did, in those days, at this
time.
Freilichen
Purim to all of Klal Yisroel,
Purim to all of Klal Yisroel,
Shabbat Shalom &
Good Shabbos,
Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and Chani
Staum
Staum