Purim 5779-2019 Happy Purim! - This is the message I sent to our young men and women studying abroad, in Israel and college. I share it with you ...
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Purim 5779-2019
Happy Purim!
This is the message I sent to our young men and women studying abroad, in Israel and college. I
share it with you in the hope that it resonates for all of us.
Dear "Scarsdaleans" around the country and across the world,
There's a great scene in the recent bio-pic about the band,
"Queen," aptly named Bohemian Rhapsody, after their well-
known hit song of the same name. After fighting to even have
a chance to record the "A Night at the Opera" album that
Rhapsody is on, they are told that Bohemian Rhapsody, at 6
minutes long, is just too long to play on the radio. They are
told that three minutes is the absolute max a song can be and
if they don't conform to the accepted formula - their song
cannot be played on the radio and will not be accepted by the
music-listening public. In an ironic twist, a fictitious, high-
powered producer named Ray Foster, played by Mike Myers,
tells them that "what you need (as a single for your album)
is a song that teenagers can get in their cars and bang their
heads to, and that song is not Bohemian Rhapsody". The
irony, of course, is that Bohemian Rhapsody achieved its
legendary status in my generation in an iconic scene in
"Wayne's World," where Mike Myers and Dana Carvey
(Wayne and Garth), are headbanging to the heavy
metal section of Bohemian Rhapsody in their car!
While I did just want to share this piece of pop-culture So what should our response be? Should we conform? Should
history with you, I have another reason for bringing this up. we give up our love and support for Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael
Over the past 3,000+ years our People have been asked, and the importance of the US-Israel relationship? Chas
and sometimes even forced, to conform to a certain formula. V'Shalom!!! We respond to these and other malign anti-semitic
A formula about how to live, how to comport ourselves, what charges just as Esther and Mordechai did in Shushan. "Leich
to value, what to support and what to care about. K'nos Et Kol HaYehudim - Go out and gather all of the Jews
Astonishingly, while it hasn't been easy, and we've certainly together", that is the only answer. Don't capitulate to these
had our share of hiccups along the way, we have not charges of not fitting in; get together and raise your
conformed to that "3 minute" formula we have always been voices. Raise your voices wherever you are - on campus, online
told would be necessary for us to fit in and be accepted by and in the streets. We will not allow ourselves to be branded by
the public. I say this now because the sad reality is that we their hate and we will not bow to their efforts to slander us and
Jews even here in the USA are, once again, being called to delegitimize our beloved State of Israel. We must also unite
task because weare different. We are being singled out, and raise our voices in Tefillah and Torah in our Shuls and
because of our support for the one and only Jewish State. schools, in Yeshivot and in our homes. For when we
As if it is somehow wrong to advocate on behalf of our strengthen our own resolve as proud Jews - faithful to our
brothers and sisters in Israel, on behalf of fellow Jews who millenia-old Mitzvot, observances and traditions - then the
have returned to our ancient homeland. It is hard to believe words and deeds of our enemies are thwarted that much
that we are being called out as having "dual loyalty," or more. I truly believe in your ability to face this generational
wielding unholy political power due to the "Benjamins" that challenge...our People's legendary status depends on you (no
we seemingly dole out to anyone who'll listen. pressure :)!
Rabbi Jonathan Morgenstern
Purim Schedule Wednesday, March 20 – Fast of Esther, Erev Purim 5:47am Fast Begins 6:15am, 7:45am Shacharit/Selichot 6:35pm Mincha 7:15pm Maariv followed by Megillah 7:15pm YIS Youth Purim Program (1st -5th grade) 7:37pm Fast Ends 8:45pm Late Maariv/Megillah 9:30pm YIS ADULT PURIM PARTY Thursday, March 21 - Purim 6:30am, 8:00am Shacharit/Megillah 10:00am Late Megillah Reading 4:00pm Mincha 6:55pm Mincha Maariv Friday, March 22 - Shushan Purim 6:45am, 8:00am Shacharit 6:51pm Candlelighting 6:55pm Mincha
Purim Laws & Customs
PURIM poor even during the week of Generally the main Purim meal is held
While Hanukah represents the victory mourning. One does not send a Purim afternoon and is preceded by
against forced assimilation, Purim mourner portions during the year of Mincha and may even extend into the
celebrates a victory against genocide. mourning. Please note that this night. When Purim falls on Erev Shabbat,
These two Festivals are most Mitzvah applies during the day of we juggle the requirements of Seudat
important to the Jew for upon Purim not the night before.
Purim and Oneg Shabbat within a small
numerous occasions the Jew has
suffered both. PURIM reminds us that Matanot L’Evyonim
window of time. As such the meal is held
we are “one nation, dispersed and A Jew always remembers the poor in earlier in the day and is concluded
separated among nations” suffering at time of joy and prosperity. On Purim sufficiently before Shabbat for one to be
times-precarious political status: at everyone is obligated to give money or able to partake of the Shabbat meal with
times never sure of our future. It is in distribute food to at least two poor an Oneg appetite. Some follow the
essence one chapter in the history of people. This practice comes from the practice of extending their meal till
the Jews and anti-Semitism. Jews of Shushan who celebrated their Shabbat arrives; blending the two. They
Reading of the Megillah good fortune with others. Making the reset the table with a Shabbat tablecloth,
The public reading of the Megillah, unfortunate happy on Purim also recite Kiddush, and continue their meal.
which is one of the primary rituals of seeks to remind us to recognize G-d’ s
the day, is incumbent upon everyone- gifts to us.
Purim Prayers
men, women and children. The Please contribute to our Matanot
obligation includes both the reading at L’Evyonim The prayer Al Hanissim - for the Miracles
night and during the day of Purim. Please note: All Matanot L'Evyonim (Birnbaum p.209, Art Scroll p.274, 276),
One should be careful to listen funds will be distributed to two worthy which recounts the miraculous salvation
to every word and not interrupt the organizations, Project Leket, helping of Purim, is recited in the Amidah and in
reading with conversation. Everyone feed needy families in Israel every day Grace after meals.
stands for the recitation of the three and funds will also be distributed to Od
blessings. Yosef Chai for distribution to the needy
The following four passages, in Jerusalem on Purim day itself. Shushan Purim
underscoring positive elements and In “cities encompassed by a wall since
referring to redemption are recited first To make your contribution, click here the time of Joshua” Purim is observed
out loud by the congregation and then and select "Matanot L'Evyonim" from
and the Megillah is read on the 15th of
repeated by the reader: the drop down box under Donation
1. Chapter II:5 information or send your checks to the
Adar. It was on this day that the first
2. VIII:15 shul office. celebration of Purim took place in
3. VII: 16 Shushan (Esther 9:18). In unwalled
4. X:3 Seudat Purim cities Purim is observed on the 14th of
The custom of making noise when the The Purim Feast Adar (Esther 9:19).
name of Haman is read is a time In the spirit of Purim joy and holiday In cities such as Jerusalem, which is a
honored tradition and should not be merriment, a festive Purim feast is walled city Purim is celebrated on the
discouraged. served during the day of Purim. It is 15th of Adar. Elsewhere this day is
Mitzvot of Purim Day proper to set a table fit for royalty. called Shushan Purim and is observed as
Mishloach Manot Wines and spirits flow in a half-holiday.
The Sending of Gifts commemoration of the wine feast,
on the day of Purim. Everyone is which Esther prepared for Haman’s
required to send to at least one friend downfall. Since Purim also celebrates
© Rabbi Jacob Rubenstein z”l
the minimum of two varieties of Israel’s heightened awareness and
cooked food requiring no further acceptance of Torah it is appropriate
preparation. This action emulates the for words of Torah to accompany the
Click here: for Purim To Go
Jews of Shushan who shared their meal as it says, “for the Jews there
good fortune with others in the spirit was light” (Esther 8:16). The light
of generosity and fraternity. Some referred to is that of Torah. The meal
maintain the practice of sending these is conducted during the day with a
portions through a messenger in order festive spirit, fine dining and elegance.
to involve others in the mitzvah. A Some have many candles on the table
mourner is obligated to send Mishloah and others have specially baked
Manot and gifts to the breads with images and
ornamentation.
Contribute to the YIS Matanot L'Evyonim Campaign!
One of the central Mitzvot of Purim is to give gifts to the poor, Matanot L'Evyonim. All funds contributed will be distributed on Purim to
those in need, in observance of this very special mitzvah.
Please note: All Matanot L'Evyonim funds will be distributed to two worthy organizations, Project Leket, helping feed needy families in
Israel every day and funds will also be distributed to Od Yosef Chai for distribution to the needy in Jerusalem on Purim day itself.
To make your contribution, click here select "Matanot L'Evyonim" from the drop down box under Donation information or send your
checks to the shul office.
Leket Israel, Israel's National Food Bank, addresses the paradox of nutritional insecurity and large scale food waste in Israel by over rescuing
millions of pounds of excess food annually from 1,000 food producers for distribution to 140,000+ needy Israelis on a weekly basis. For
each dollar received, Leket Israel rescues and delivers 10 pounds worth of fresh produce for one needy person for a week.
Od Yosef Chai supports over 8,000 needy families, including widows and orphans, newly immigrants, terrorist victims, the sick and elderly,
especially before the holidays. Food, new clothing, shoes, gift certificates and financial assistance is provided. Many families in severe financial
straits are too embarrassed to ask for help. Their staff of volunteers seeks out these families and provides them support in a dignified and
anonymous manner. You can also call in a pledge now or on the day of Purim until 6:30pm directly to Od Yosef Chai: 24 Hour Hotline
845.426.3130 or 1.800.823.CHAI
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