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Rabbi Linda's Weekly Message |
March 7, 2025 |
Dear Friends,
Purim is less than a week away and we find ourselves grappling with a story that does not fit easily into any literary genre. It seems to be all over the place. It is a totally unrealistic story of a poorly run kingdom that runs from farce to almost tragedy, to comedy, to revenge, and ultimately to celebration.
However, a shape begins to form within the chaotic nature of the story. We gain further perspective through the additional Torah reading for this Shabbat, a Torah reading that gives this Shabbat its name, Zachor, which means remember.
“Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey, after you left Egypt—how, undeterred by fear of God, he surprised you on the march, when you were famished and weary, and cut down all the stragglers in your rear. Therefore, when your God יהוה grants you safety from all your enemies around you, in the land that your God יהוה is giving you as a hereditary portion, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!” (Deuteronomy 25:17-19)
These three sentences are read on the Shabbat before Purim because a line is drawn from Haman and the chaos that he engenders to the story of Amalek, who is described as having no fear of God and killing the stragglers. They are both characterized as evil. Traditionally, a line is drawn from Amalek all the way to Hitler.
Mitzvah of the Week
This week is Tu B’Shevat – the birthday of the trees.
There is never a wrong time to get involved in environmental causes, but it is always the right time to be reminded why it matters. Although the trees are not in bloom, much is happening inside of them and we wait for them to bloom, I invite us all to bring a plant into our homes to nurture and care for and if our home is filled with plants, give one to a friend or neighbor. Caring for other forms of life refreshes our own humanity.
| Oseh shalom bimromav, hu ya'aseh shalom aleinu ve'al kol Israel, ve'imru, Amen. |
| May the One who makes peace in the heavens, make peace for us all and all the people of Israel. |
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