Vayikra-Parshat Zachor

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B”H

Please pray for Shoshana Bat Chaya Hinda for a full and speedy recovery

Vayikra-Parshat Zachor

NY City Candle lighting 6:44
Shabbat ends 7:43
For world wide times on the web go to www.chabadgn.com/Candles

Kiddush Levana can be recited until 3:12 a.m. March 22nd

Shalom and Bracha!

This Shabbat we read the portion of Vayikra, which begins the discussion of the sacrifices that were offered in the Mishkan and thereafter in the Temple. The portion of the sacrifices begins, “A man who will offer from amongst you a sacrifice.” Seemingly, the suitable wording would be a man from amongst you who offers a sacrifice. The Alter Rebbe explains that the peculiar wording teaches us that the service of sacrifices applies to each on of us in every generation. Each of us must sacrifice our animal nature and subjugate it to the will of Hashem. The offering of the blood represents dedication of our warmth and vivacity to the cause of good. The term Chelev in Hebrew, which literally means fats that were offered upon the altar, also implies the finest. Our finest possessions and skills must be dedicated to the service of G-d.
 
Because this is the Shabbat before Purim, and Haman was a descendant of Amalek, for the Maftir we take out a second scroll and read a special portion, Parshat Zachor. Parshat Zachor is unique in that it is the only portion that is a defined Mitzvah in the Torah to hear. It is always a Mitzvah to listen to the Torah being read, but there is a specific commandment to hear the portion of Zachor. It is desirable that ladies also hear the reading of Parshat Zachor.

When the Jewish people left Egypt, after the splitting of the Red Sea, the nation of Amalek came and attacked them. After a miraculous war, the Jewish people were commanded that upon settling in Israel they must annihilate the memory of Amalek. As in every Mitzvah, the destruction of Amalek parallels a concept in service of Hashem that is relevant even when the physical Mitzvah doesn’t apply.

Parshat Zachor begins “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt. He encountered you on the way, and cut down the weak…” In addition to meaning encountered you, the term “Karcha” means that he cooled you off. Rashi explains that upon leaving Egypt the nations of the world feared the Jewish people. They were “too hot to touch.” After Amalek had attacked them, although Amalek lost, they were attackable.

In a spiritual sense, becoming closer to Hashem is a concept of Exodus. The word Mitzrayim (Egypt) comes from the Hebrew root Metzarim, which means boundaries and limitations. Going beyond our boundaries and rising in the service of Hashem is our personal Exodus from Mitzrayim. However, even after we feel the joy and excitement of coming closer to Hashem, our negative inclination tells us to cool down, to take it easy. He tries to convince us that it suffices to be as good as before. Why strive? Why the excitement? This is Amalek. This is the root of all evil. We must completely ignore our negative side and reach true self-emancipation.

May we immediately merit the true redemption when the final battle against Amalek will be won and all persecution and pain will be replaced by freedom and joy.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Biggs
 
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B”H

Purim!

Shalom and Bracha!

Thursday, March 20th, is the fast of Esther. It commemorates the fast that Esther decreed to annul Haman’s wicked decree. It is customary to give three half dollars to charity on the fast of Esther. This parallels the half Shekalim which were given in the month of Adar and annuls the Shekalim Haman wanted use to bribe the king to annihilate the Jewish people.

Thursday night and Friday are Purim. Purim is the celebration of the salvation of the Jewish people from annihilation through the efforts of Morchai and Esther. Purim has four primary Mitzvot. The first is listening to the Megillah. The Megillah is read Thursday night and again Friday morning. Although we must hear each word of the Megillah, it is customary to make noise whenever Haman the wicked or Haman the son of Hamdata is said. This is to fulfill the Mitzvah of erasing Amalek’s name.

The second is Mishloach Manot, sending gifts of food. A minimum of two kinds of food or drink must be sent to a friend on Purim. The custom is to give more than two kinds to many people and that men send to men and women send to women.

The third is Matanot Laevyonim, giving charity to at least two poor people on the day of Purim. Giving money to many poor people is a greater Mitzvah than send food to many friends.

The fourth is to eat a festive meal on the day of Purim. It is customary to say L’chayim at this meal. There is a special addition to the Grace after meals on Purim. Because Purim is Friday the meal should be eaten early so that we will have a good appetite for the Shabbat meal.

Purim teaches us that the survival of the Jewish people is fully in the hands of Hashem. When we place our faith fully in Him, even our darkest hour can be transformed into our greatest joy.

Purim is the Holiday when morning was changed over to joy. Let’s all observe the Mitzvot of Purim more carefully and encourage as many people as we can to do the same and Hashem will change over our mourning to joy.

L’chayim and Chag Sameach!!

Rabbi Biggs

Dedicated to Shoshana Bat Chaya Hinda for a full and speedy recovery

If anyone would like to donate to help the poor in honor of Purim, send a check to Chabad of Great Neck-Matanot Laevyonim at the address below. If you would like to donate by credit card, please contact my office by phone.

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There is a great Purim Website at http://www.chabadgn.com/holidays/purim