March 2023/5783

My family understands that I tend to strike up conversations with random people in various places. This is especially true when we travel. I enjoy conversing with people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and viewpoints. Some of these encounters have been humorous, some ironic, and many deeply meaningful and profound. Collectively, they expand me as a person and often lead to some of our most memorable vacation moments. 

Recently, on an airplane, I noticed a young Hasidic couple making their way down the aisle. Our eyes locked and indeed they were destined for the two open seats in my row. I was rather looking forward to a new encounter until we realized we didn't share a common language. They spoke neither English or Hebrew, and my Yiddish is hardly passable. However, a few minutes into the flight, he took out his chumash and started to review the weekly parsha. Indeed, we did share a common language and exchanged some famous teachings of Chazal to communicate during the flight.

A friend recently introduced me to the writings of Rabbi Immanuel Bernstein. His father, Rabbi Isaac Bernstein, served as the rabbi of the The Jewish Center in Manhattan and was a distinguished scholar. His son now writes prolifically and has developed quite a following.

In his sefer “Purim-Removing the Mask,” Rabbi Immanuel Bernstein draws upon a careful reading of the pesukim in Megilat Esther to develop a thesis of Jewish unity.

In making his case to the king, Haman describes the Jewish people as

 שְׁנ֣וֹ עַם־אֶחָ֗ד מְפֻזָּ֤ר וּמְפֹרָד֙ בֵּ֣ין הָֽעַמִּ֔ים בְּכֹ֖ל מְדִינ֣וֹת

There is a certain people, scattered and dispersed among the other peoples in all the provinces of your realm (esther 3:8)

What does Haman mean by describing us as both “scattered” and “separate”? Are these not two ways of saying the same thing?

“Scattered” is a geographical term which refers to the fact that the Jewish people were indeed scattered across the kingdom. “Separate” refers to an emotional separateness. The Jews in that time were beset by strife, discord, and indifference to each other.

Haman understood that when the Jewish people are in a state of disunity, they become vulnerable to their enemies. 

Hence, is was for this every reason that the first thing Esther says as part of her plan to intercede with Achachverosh was

 לֵךְ֩ כְּנ֨וֹס אֶת־כׇּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים

Go, assemble all the Jews (Esther 4:16)

Esther understood the only way to move forward was to rectify the core issue- namely the lack of unity among the Jews.

This awareness helps us understand the unusual mitzvah of mishloach manot. Of the four mitzvot we celebrate on Purim, three of them are not entirely unique. Afterall, we find other examples of reading scripture, distributing charity and hosting festive meals. Yet, the mitzvah of mishloach manot speaks to the overarching goal of Jewish unity. 

Which brings us to a very thoughtful opportunity. When deciding to whom we wish to send mishloach manot, please consider someone not typically on your list. Someone who might not receive the volume of mishloach manot others receive. Someone who may have different religious views than ours. Someone with whom we can repair the lack of Jewish unity that still exists among us. Then may the command of Esther 

לֵךְ֩ כְּנ֨וֹס אֶת־כׇּל־הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים

finally find full expression.

Happy Purim everyone!

Rabbi Jonathan Knapp

Head of School