“RABBI’S MUSINGS (&
AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Tzav –
Zachor
12 Adar II 5774/March 14, 2014
One morning this week,
as I walked to my car I saw something yellow sticking out of the mound of piled-up
snow at the bottom of our driveway. I pulled it out and found the newspaper
from a few weeks ago, double-bagged and perfectly dry. I had wondered why we
hadn’t received the paper that week. Now I realized that the paper must have
been delivered in the predawn hours after one of our many snowstorms. When my
driveway was plowed the paper must have been lost in the pile of snow. Now, as
the snow has finally begun to melt substantially, the paper was again visible.
In fact, all around
things that have been buried beneath the snow have become visible, including
bottles, branches, and grass (I almost forgot what that looked like). For the
last few months it was a challenge to maneuver around our driveway, especially
to back the car outout. There was snow piled up all along the perimeter of the
driveway, making the blacktop area very limited. With the recent warmer
temperatures it seems as if the driveway has expanded significantly. The same
is true for the roads.
Spring
affords neighbors the opportunity to see each other, after being cooped up
behind warm doors for the duration of the cold winter. Longer days and warmer
temps allow children to spend time outdoors even after a long school day. The
warmer weather makes everything seem brighter and more comfortable.
This
is true in regards to human relationships as well. When people are
self-absorbed, and are callous and cold to each other, there isn’t enough space
for everyone. People avoid each other because they are too busy with their own
needs and desires.
When
there is a spirit of friendship and warmth however, people are far less
particular about boundaries and less protective of their space. Suddenly there
is room for everyone. Possessions that were heretofore kept hidden from view
and selfishly hoarded, are shared and enjoyed by all.
One
of the great tactics of our nemesis, Amalek, is to breed feelings of coldness.
“Asher korcha baderech – He cooled us down on our way.” Not only does
Amalek seek to douse the fire of our passion for Torah and mitzvos, but he also
seeks to engender feelings of coldness, apathy, and enmity for our fellow Jews.
Purim
is the celebration of Amalek’s defeat. Therefore, Purim is a holiday when we
ignite our feelings of friendship and love for each other. We give charity to
the less fortunate, we extend gifts to each other, and celebrate joyously
together, simply because we are Jews!
As the snow melts and
the roads widen, we strive to melt away the icicles that drip within us. We
seek to fan the flames of unity and love for each other. We may not agree with
each other, but we must love each other. Haman wanted to kill us just because
we are Jews, so on Purim we celebrate together for the same reason!
Shabbat Shalom &
Good Shabbos
Freilichen Purim Sameiach,
R’ Dani and Chani Staum