Friday, March 22, 2024

Fwd: Cheder Lubavitch Purim Message


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf <rabbiwolf@clhds.com>
Date: Fri, Mar 22, 2024, 9:08 AM
Subject: Cheder Lubavitch Purim Message
To: agentemes4@gmail.com <agentemes4@gmail.com>


ב"ה

Seymour J. Abrams

Cheder Lubavitch Hebrew Day School

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Candle Lighting Times for
Skokie:
Friday, Mar. 22
6:46 pm

PURIM Message from the Dean

The holiday of Purim stands as a radiant beacon in the annals of Jewish history, illuminating the triumph of resilience over persecution, of unity over division. It is a jubilant celebration that echoes through time, commemorating the decisive victory of the Jewish people over the nefarious schemes of Haman, a malevolent figure who sought to obliterate them from the face of the earth.

In the throes of adversity, when the shadow of destruction loomed large, the fortunes of the Jewish people took a remarkable turn. What once seemed like an inexorable descent into darkness suddenly transformed into a resplendent dawn of triumph. It was a victory that defied expectations, unfolding with such swiftness and potency that it appeared almost miraculous.

Yet, the seeds of this victory were sown long before the climactic moment of deliverance. They lay hidden within the very words of Haman himself, unwittingly revealing a profound truth that would ultimately spell his undoing. In his sinister decree to annihilate the Jews, he spoke of them as "one nation, spread and splintered among the nations." Little did he realize that in acknowledging their unity, albeit amidst their dispersion, he unwittingly sealed his own fate.

For even in their darkest hour, the Jewish people remained bound by an unbreakable bond of kinship and shared destiny. Though scattered across distant lands, they were united by an indomitable spirit that transcended physical boundaries and temporal constraints. It was this unity, this unwavering sense of collective identity that ultimately proved to be their greatest strength.

Throughout the annals of history, and indeed in the present day, the Jewish people have often found themselves beset by challenges that threaten to divide and conquer. Yet, time and again, they have defied the odds, emerging triumphant by virtue of their enduring unity and resilience. For no matter how dire the circumstances may seem, the essence of Jewish unity remains immutable—a timeless testament to the unyielding spirit of Am Yisrael.

As we gather to celebrate Purim, let us not only rejoice in the triumph of the past but also reaffirm our commitment to preserving the legacy of unity and resilience that has sustained the Jewish people through the ages. For as long as we remain steadfast in our unity, no adversary, however formidable, shall ever prevail against us. Am Yisrael Chai—The people of Israel live on, a testament to the enduring power of unity and faith.

Shabbat shalom and happy Purim,

Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf

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Parshah in a Nutshell


Parshat Vayikra

The name of the Parshah, "Vayikra," means "And [He] called" and it is found in Leviticus 1:1.

G‑d calls to Moses from the Tent of Meeting, and communicates to him the laws of the korbanot, the animal and meal offerings brought in the Sanctuary. These include:

• The "ascending offering" (olah) that is wholly raised to G‑d by the fire atop the altar;

• Five varieties of "meal offering" (minchah) prepared with fine flour, olive oil and frankincense;

• The "peace offering" (shelamim), whose meat was eaten by the one bringing the offering, after parts are burned on the altar and parts are given to the kohanim (priests);

• The different types of "sin offering" (chatat) brought to atone for transgressions committed erroneously by the high priest, the entire community, the king or the ordinary Jew;

• The "guilt offering" (asham) brought by one who has misappropriated property of the Sanctuary, who is in doubt as to whether he transgressed a divine prohibition, or who has committed a "betrayal against G‑d" by swearing falsely to defraud a fellow man.

Learn: Vayikra in Depth
Browse: Vayikra Parshah Columnists
Prep: Devar Torah Q&A for Vayikra
Read: Haftarah in a Nutshell
Play: Vayikra Parshah Quiz

 


Parshat Zachor

This being the Shabbat before Purim, on which we celebrate the foiling of Haman the Amalekite's plot to destroy the Jewish people, the weekly Parshah is supplemented with the "Zachor" reading (Deuteronomy 25:17–19) in which we are commanded to remember the evil of Amalek and to eradicate it from the face of the earth.

Remember what Amalek did to you on the road, on your way out of Egypt. That he encountered you on the way and cut off those lagging to your rear, when you were tired and exhausted; he did not fear G‑d. And it shall come to pass, when the L‑rd your G‑d has given you rest from all your enemies round about, in the land which the L‑rd your G‑d is giving you for an inheritance to possess it, that you shall obliterate the memory of Amalek from under the heavens. Do not forget.

 

 

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