* Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
Happy Purim! So many special events and parties have been canceled but four essential mitzvot, of course, are still in place.
- Megillat Esther. The Megillah was read last night and is read again this morning from a parchment scroll. It is imperative to hear every word without missing even one. It is okay to hear the Megillah reading throughout the day, albeit in accordance with Home Front security directives. There are shelters where neighbors read the Megillah together and Chabad emissaries will come to the home of anyone who cannot get out to hear the Megillah. And, of course, there will be numerous Megillah readings in hospitals, IDF bases, and everywhere else in the Jewish world where the Purim chapter in our magnificent history will be told.
- Mishloach Manot. The minimum requirement for fulfillment of this mitzvah is to deliver two food items to one person. This includes neighbors and friends, of course, but also those who are alone, or those with whom we have had a falling out. It’s recommended to attach a note with a personal greeting to your food package.
- Matanot La’Evyonim: Tzedakah in given to two poor people. Each monetary gift should equal the value of one meal. Your tzedakah may be distributed by the gabai of your synagogue or by one of the many charitable organizations found on the Internet. A Jew’s joy is complete only after giving to another.
- Mishteh VeSimcha. Have a celebratory banquet with meat wine.
These four mitzvot all begin with the letter mem, making it easier to remember them.
- In the Amidah prayer and in Birkat HaMazon there is a special “Al HaNissim” insertion for Purim.
- In Jerusalem, of course, Purim and all of the above mitzvot are observed beginning at nightfall tonight.
- We endeavor to fulfill every Purim mitzvah with joy despite the many challenges we have faced this year. Purim is a holiday of true joy since it is a celebration of our Jewish identity. Purim is a holiday when “everything flips” in the twinkling of an eye. A day when we were meant to be annihilated became a holiday. The Megillah reminds us that God is pulling the strings, even when we don’t see it, and that he is directing everything that happens towards everlasting good as evil is obliterated. It is said that on Purim “Whoever stretches out their hand shall be given.” This promise refers to a poor person asking for tzedakah, but may also be applied to us asking for God’s help. Therefore, we will benefit by utilizing Purim for special prayers and requests, both on a personal and a national level.
May we be privileged through the joy of Purim to see the words of Megillah Esther fulfilled as “everything flips” and our enemies’ evildoing and curses are transformed into good deeds and blessings.
