When Brett and I got married, we began incorporating several traditions into our new Jewish home. One of these traditions is that we add a new and different Haggadah to our collection each year. Having several different Haggadot in our home provides us with various resources for every Seder we lead or participate in. It allows us to learn from the different voices and stories surrounding the Passover narrative. In addition to a traditional Haggadah, we now also have A Different Night, by Noam Zion and David Dishon, Haggadah Nechama, comprised of the studies on the Haggadah from the teachings of Nechama Leibowitz, one of the outstanding Torah scholars and teachers of our generation, and a recent purchase, A Holistic Haggadah, by Michael L. Kagan which addresses questions such as, “How will you be different this Passover Night? How are you prepared to let this night change you?” Each Haggadah tells the Passover story, following the traditional order of the Seder: Kadesh, urchatz, karpas, yachatz, etc. However, each Haggadah tells the story from its unique perspective.
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From the Rabbi: Purim 5711
Monday, March 7th, 2011Purim this year will be celebrated on: the 14th of Adar II, 5771 ~ March 19-20, 2011
Purim, or the Feast of Lots, is a joyous holiday when we turn our norms upside down and inside out to commemorate the reversal of the Jews’ fortune in Persia as recorded in the Book of Esther, or Megillat Esther. This year, as it is a leap year, Purim is celebrated on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar II. It is traditional to feast, dress up in costume, and read from Megillat Esther and share gifts with our family, friends and those in need.
There are four mitzvot, or commandments, associated with the holiday of Purim:
1. The reading of the Book of Esther (Megillat Esther)
2. Enjoying a festive meal on the day of Purim (Seudat Purim)
3. Sending small gifts to family and friends (Mishloach Manot)
4. Sending gifts to the poor (Matanot l’Evyonim)
The mitzvot of Mishloach Manot, literally, “sending off portions,” and Matanot L’Evyonim, sending gifts to those in need, during the days of Purim are prescribed so that we recall the communal love that Mordechai and Esther awoke among the Jews. The Mishloach Manot baskets are traditionally filled with pastries, fruits and nuts.
