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Chomer Lidrush
Some ideas to turn your gears heading into the parsha – special Purim and Parshas Zachor edition!
1) For the Parsha: The Bigdei Kehunah show that every Jew matters and made sure the Kohen had that in mind while wearing them.
In Torah Today, R’ Pinchas Peli sees the details of the Kohen’s dress as a reminder of a most crucial aspect of his role:
“There are many leaders, who after they are elected or chosen for high office swiftly forget the people whom they are supposed to represent. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were to be carried on the "shoulders" of Aaron, so that he should never forget the burden of their needs and always remember that he was not carried on their shoulders, for him to enjoy the good life of the people in high office—but that they must constantly be carried on his shoulders, to care for their needs and to be a loyal spokesman for them.”
2) Purim: Rav Rimon on Pruim Meshulash – A unique chance to sanctify time and space together
In his brand-new (and timely) sefer on Erev Pesach that falls on Erev Shabbos & Purim Meshulash, Rav Rimon explains that Purim, at its core, is about the elevation of the physical world. It is not about indulgence for indulgence’s sake but rather about transforming the mundane into the sacred. Just as Shabbos elevates the experience of time, Purim elevates the experience of physicality. When the two converge, like they do next week, we are left with a sort of complementary sanctification. Shabbos lifts us above the material world, while Purim sanctifies the material world itself. Together, they form a complete picture of Jewish spirituality: one that embraces both the divine and the physical.
Ba’aniyas da’ati, one might look at this unusual year in a different way – as spiritual progression or dance:
- Taanis – Transcendence of the physical; a deliberate withdrawal from material engagement
- Purim – Immersion in the physical; finding holiness within worldly celebration
- Shabbos – The perfect synthesis, where the material is completely uplifted and transformed into a vehicle for spirituality
This progression reveals the essence of the Neshama Yeseirah we receive on Shabbos. This divine gift provides the spiritual fortification needed to engage with physical pleasures without being diminished by them. On Shabbos, we demonstrate that the material world need not be rejected but can instead be fully elevated to enhance our spiritual connection.
This concept illuminates why Shabbos—and only Shabbos—serves as the Mekor HaBerachah. Like a wise parent, Hashem desires our enjoyment of worldly goodness while understanding the potential spiritual pitfalls of material pleasure. Only on Shabbos, when we demonstrate our ability to sanctify the material in service of the spiritual, can Divine blessing flow unrestricted into our world.
In this way, Shabbos becomes not merely a day of rest, but the culmination of our spiritual work—revealing the ultimate purpose of creation: the elevation of the physical world into a dwelling place for the Divine.
3) Zachor: Ynet - Is Hamas Amalek? (Manning the Media)
In "Are Hamas Militants the Amalek of Our Time?" Effi Meir explores the comparison between Amalek and the contemporary actions of Hamas.
Amalek is portrayed as a scorpion that stings solely to cause harm. Their purpose is to inflict damage for the sake of damage, hatred for the sake of hatred. This psychopathic mode of operation characterizes both the leaders and operatives of the terrorist organization, who harm Israel even at the cost of immense damage to themselves; unlike other nations that fought bnei Yisrael during their journey from Mitzrayim, Amalek's animosity is highlighted due to their willingness to harm themselves to harm others.
The author draws parallels between Amalek's actions and those of Hamas militants, noting that both exhibit a willingness to suffer significant losses if it means causing greater suffering to their adversaries. This self-destructive hatred, devoid of logical reasoning or self-preservation, aligns with the psychopathic behavior attributed to Amalek.
4) Guidance for Purim Meshulah
We’re sharing halachic guidance from our chaverim R’ Mordechai Torcyzner and R’ Nati Helfgot. These are the materials they sent to their kehillos and have offered to our membership; if you plan on distributing similar guidance yourself, feel free to lift the relevant material.
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