Weekly Parsha

Mazal Tov to Ariel Kalb Wajnszelbojm for his birthday. May Hashem bless you with continued successes in all you do, both personally and communally.

Refuah Sheimah: Stephen Waczkiewicz (Shimon ben Sarah), Yossefa (Josie) "bat Sharon", Rafael ben Gladis e Esther Bracha "bat Sarah".

Continue praying for: Teddy Welz, Miriam (Mariana) "bat Zulay", Adina (Heidi) "bat Sarah" e Yosefa (Josie) "bat Sharon".

Tetzaveh

Exodus 27:20 - 30:10

Tetzaveh (תְּצַוֶּה‎—Hebrew for "[you] shall command.

"The Torah continues this week with the command to make for use in the Mishkan, the Portable Sanctuary -- oil for the Menorah and clothes for the Cohanim, the Priests. It then gives instruction for the consecration of the Cohanim and the Outer Altar. The portion concludes with instructions for constructing the Incense Altar.

Purim begins after Shabbat Tetzaveh, therefore, it is appropriate to include a Purim message here.

"And these days of Purim should never cease among the Jews" (Esther 9:28)

The Midrash states that even when all the other festivals are discontinued, Purim will always remain. The commentaries give various interpretations on what this Midrash may mean, but it is evident from this Midrash that Purim has extraordinary significance, and surpasses in importance even the Scriptural festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Succot. What is it that gives Purim such great significance?

The supernatural miracles, great as they may be, are of only a temporary duration. The salvation of the Israelites by the dividing of the waters of the Reed Sea was indeed an exceptional occurrence, but it was witnessed only by that generation, and for us it is a historical incident. We do not expect miracles of that type to occur.

The salvation of Purim, however, did not consist of any supernatural miracle. Every event could be seen as a perfectly natural happening. A king becomes intoxicated and in his drunken rage has the queen executed. He chooses a Jewess as his new queen, and she conceals her origin. Her uncle discovers a palace intrigue to assassinate the king, and the queen reports this to the king, thereby saving his life. The anti-semitic prime minister extracts a decree from the king to exterminate the Jews in his kingdom. The king is reminded that it was a Jew who saved his life. The queen turns the king's wrath against the prime minister, who is executed. The queen reveals her Jewish origin, her uncle is appointed as prime minister and the Jews are saved.

It is only when the entire sequence of events is put together that one sees the guiding Hand of G-d saving His people.... Miracles such as these are with us today. No laws of nature are suspended, but the guiding Hand of G-d causes "natural" events to occur in such a way that results in our salvation.

The realization that everything in the world is orchestrated by G-d is a fundamental principle of Judaism. This teaching of Purim should be with us every day of every year. As we say in the Amidah (daily prayers), "for Your miracles are with us every day." This belief enables us to entrust our lives to the care of G-d, and should stimulate us to live our lives according to His commandments.

Gratitude and pity (mercy) has no expiration date. Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and leave the rest to Hashem HaKadosh Baruch Hu. 

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Purim Sameach!

R. Tank

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Rabbi Tank is a professor at the American Jewish College, where he teaches classes on Talmud, Jewish History, and Contemporary Jewish Law. Rabbi Tank is dedicated to finding modern utility and meaning in ancient wisdom texts and is pleased to provide spiritual, cultural, social and educational programming to communities around the world. 

Rabbi Tank was educated at Yeshivas in New York and Miami. He studied Biblical Archeology at Bar Ilan University and Jewish Studies at Harvard University. Rabbi Tank has a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and he is also graduated in International Economic Development from the University of Oxford. 

Rabbi Tank is a Jewish Chaplain actively involved in peace negotiations and relief operations. Rabbi Tank is the director of international affairs at the World Jewish Confederation headquarters in New York and He is member of the White House National Religious Leaders , an Executive Office of the President of the United States in Washington, D.C.

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