HAFTR HafTorah - Purim 2021

HAFTRHAFTORAH ‫לעשות‬, ‫ללמד‬, ‫ללמוד‬

HAFTR

FEBRUARY 2021 • PURIM EDITION MARCH 2020 • PURIM EDITION

HIGH SCHOOL

‫אדר תשפ״א‬

How to be Prepared for a Purim M’shulash

By Rabbi Gary Slochowsky, 2007, HAFTR High School Chesed Coordinator

ol...p.2

cho Around S

Editors Raylie Bodner Devorah Gottesman Gabriel Kurlander Daniel Singer Ezra Wallach Contributors Rabbi Gary Slochowsky Yosef Gettenberg Abby Kammerman Michelle Kirschner Gabriel Kurlander AJ Mandel Alan Vashovsky Sara Wallach Faculty Advisors Mrs. Alexa Gelnick Rabbi Ira Wallach Artwork Raquel Gottlieb

Please feel free to contact us at haftorah@haftr.org

One of the famous phrases of ‫ פורים‬is "‫ "ונהפוך הוא‬and it was all flipped around. Many Purim customs and events seem upside-down and out of the ordinary. One interesting concept mentioned in the ‫ משנה‬at the beginning of ‫ מסכת מגילה‬is that there are times where the ‫ מגילה‬doesn’t even have to be read on ‫ !פורים‬The ‫ משנה‬says that there are certain circumstances where the ‫ מגילה‬can be read as early as the 11th of ‫ אדר‬and the ‫ ירושלמי‬goes further and says the ‫ מגילה‬could be read on any day from ‫ראש חודש אדר‬ until ‫ פורים‬itself! Imagine that! Does this apply to any other ‫ ?מצווה‬Imagine having your ‫ סדר‬a few days before ‫ פסח‬and only eating ‫ מצה‬then. Imagine shaking a ‫לולב‬ and ‫ אתרוג‬on ‫ ראש השנה‬for ‫סוכות‬.

Why is ‫ פורים‬different? Why is it that one is allowed to read the ‫ מגילה‬so early? Let’s take the question a step further. This year is a special year called ‫פורים משולש‬. If you live in ‫ ירושלים‬where you would normally celebrate ‫ פורים‬on the 15th of ‫אדר‬, this year that day is ‫ שבת‬so the people in ‫ ירושלים‬read the ‫ מגילה‬on the 14th like the rest of the world and have the ‫ סעודה‬on Sunday the 16th. The ‫ רי"ף‬explains that you can’t have the ‫ סעודה‬on the 14th because "‫ "לא אתי זמן חיובי‬the day of ‫ פורים‬has not arrived yet” and therefore you cannot have the ‫ סעודה‬before the normal day of ‫פורים‬ arrives. Based on this how can we read the ‫ מגילה‬early on the 14th if it is still not really ‫ פורים‬for them yet? The Radziner explains that the nature of the ‫ מצווה‬of reading the ‫ מגילה‬is different from the other ‫מצוות היום‬. Reading the ‫ מגילה‬is not a ‫ מצוות היום‬of ‫ פורים‬itself. Rather it is a preparatory act for the ‫ שמחה‬of ‫פורים‬. The ‫ פסוק‬in the ‫מגילה‬ says:"‫“ "והימים האלה נזכרים ונעשים‬these days should be remembered and done.

“Remembered” is a reference to reading the ‫מגילה‬, remembering the story. “Done” is a reference to the ‫ מצוות‬that bring out the ‫ שמחה‬of ‫פורים‬. The reading of the ‫ מגילה‬is for inspiration. It is supposed to inspire and bring us to to a level where we can celebrate properly the ‫ שמחה‬of ‫פורים‬. Therefore, the ‫ מגילה‬can even be read on some days before the actual day of ‫ פורים‬while the ‫ סעודה‬has to be done on the day of ‫ פורים‬itself. So this year people who live in ‫ ירושלים‬can read the ‫ מגילה‬early on the 14th so that they can properly celebrate on the 16th because they cannot do so on ‫שבת‬. Why should this be? How does the ‫ מגילה‬accomplish this?

The Vilna Gaon explains that the whole purpose of the ‫ מגילה‬is to show how ‘‫ ה‬is integral to each of our lives, even when it seems like He is not there. When one reads the ‫מגילה‬, it is possible to think that all that took place during the story of Purim was random! Yet, the ‫ גמרא‬answers this with a ‫ פסוק‬from ‫תהילים‬. The pasuk says "‫ראו כל אפסי‬ ‫ "ארץ את ישועת אלוקינו‬The ends of the earth beheld the victory of our G-D" The ‫גמרא‬ interprets this to be a reference to the story of ‫פורים‬. The story of the ‫ מגילה‬shows us that even though ‘‫ ה‬does not seem like He was there (His name is not even mentioned), Hashem is in charge of everything and is pulling all the strings. That realization of Yad Hashem is exactly what brings us to a tremendous ‫שמחה‬.

This past year has been topsy turvy, one of "‫"ונהפוך הוא‬. Many of us even feel that Purim marks a full year since our worlds turned “upside down.”

Many feel that it is difficult to understand what has occurred. However, one year has passed. It is incumbent upon each and every one of us to look at our own ‫ מגילה‬from this past year. We sometimes feel like we don’t see ‘‫ ה‬in the world. But when we open that ‫ מגילה‬and start connecting the dots, we see how ‘‫ ה‬was taking care of us this entire time. This shall ‘‫ אם ירצה ה‬bring us to the ultimate level of ‫!שמחה‬

By the Numbers

By Gabriel Kurlander, 2021

Tetzaveh Stats (Exodus 27:20 - 30:10) • 20th of 54 sedras; 8th of 11 in Shmot • Written on 179.2 lines in a Torah, rank: #33 • 10 Parshiot; 2 open, 8 closed • 101 pasukim - ranks #35 (#8 in Shmot) • 1412 words - ranks #35 (#8 in Shmot) • 5430 letters - ranks #32 (#7 in Shmot)

AROUND SCHOOL

Mitzvot - 7 mitzvot are found in Tetzaveh; 4 positive and 3 negative (Rambam: Sefer HaMitzvot) To have candles constantly lit before Hashem in the Temple (27:20) The Kohen Gadol's breastplate must not be loosened from the Efod (28:28) The Kohanim must wear their priestly garments during service (28:2) Not to tear the priestly garments (28:32) The Kohanim must eat the sacrificial meat in the Temple (29:33) Not to burn anything on the Golden Altar besides incense (30:9) To burn incense every day (30:7) Parsha Fact: The name of Moshe is not mentioned in Parsha Tetzaveh. One reason, Menachem Nochum Twersky brings in his book Meor Einayim, is because Moshe died on the seventh day of Adar, which usually occurs during the week when Parsha Tetzaveh is read. Since his passing took place during the week of Tetzaveh, his name is not mentioned.

Haftorah Connections (Ezekiel 43:10-27) Both the Parsha and the Haftorah describe Hashem’s holy sacrificial altar and its consecration: the Parsha of the Mishkan in the desert, and the Haftorah of the Third Temple in Ezekiel's conception. Both the Parsha and the Haftorah describe plans conveyed by a mighty prophet, Moshe in the Parsha and Ezekiel in the Haftorah.

Revealing the Boreh Olam By AJ Mandel, 2023 We see from the story of Purim that Hashem’s plan is hidden from us when historical events are unfolding. Eventually, when the outcome is revealed we see how every “coincidence” occurred to our benefit. This is why we wear costumes on Purim, in order to show that we live in a world where much is hidden, but ultimately all will be revealed.

In fact, every single thing that we do on Purim is connected with this theme of “revealing the hidden.” We give Mishloach Manot (food to friends) and Matanot Le’evyonim (charity to the poor) in order to reveal our sometimes hidden feelings of warmth and friendship that we have for others. Modern technology such as Instagram allows us to reveal our warmth and friendship to thousands of people in one post. However, not even the warmest post on social media can compare to the warmth we share with others through the gifts and kind wishes we share in person on Purim.

The two names of the Megillah itself express the theme of ‫״‬revealing the hidden.‫״‬ In chapter 9, the Megillah calls itself an “Igeret,” which means “a letter.” When you receive a letter, you don’t know what’s inside it until you open it up to reveal its hidden content. The key personality in the Megillah story and its namesake, Esther, is the ultimate symbol of hiddenness and mystery. The name “Esther” means hidden and it represents

2

how Esther initially hid herself from Achashverosh and hid her identity from him until the proper moment to enact Hashem’s plan arrived. Esther lived through a time when the presence of Hashem was hidden from our people due to the destruction of the first Beit HaMikdash and the 70-yearlong exile that followed. However, Esther recognized Hashem’s perpetual presence in this world and rose to the occasion to help save the Jewish nation by fulfilling Hashem’s hidden plan.

The theme of “revealing the hidden” expresses itself most prominently by the glaring absence of Hashem’s Name from the Megillah. There is no mention of the Boreh Olam in the entire book! But, as we know, Hashem was behind everything that happened. Our aim, through reading the Megillah and through our other minhagim on Purim, is to reveal the hidden presence of Hashem at that time and every moment in our history. Therefore, we can indeed feel the presence of Hashem and raise our level of Kedusha (holiness) and Ruchniyut (spirituality).

Have a great day! May you succeed in revealing the hidden and continue to get inspired by the Boreh Olam!! Have a wonderful Purim Sameach!

haftorah@haftr.org

HAFTR HAFTORAH • PURIM EDITION

PURIM

TRIVIA

By Yosef Gettenberg, 2021

1. What measurement in Tetzaveh is only used once in the whole Torah?

2. What is the meaning of the “root” of the word kohen, according to Rashi?

3. What was similar between the two shoham stones with the names of the oldest six shevatim on one and the younger ones on the other?

4. Regarding the tzitz, what does the word tamid mean, according to Rashi?

5. How did Esther resist Achashverosh’s decree?

6. When did Haman write the decree regarding the extermination of the Jews?

7. What was Haman’s former profession?

8. Where did Haman’s fortune go?

ANSWERS 1. A zeret which is equal to a ½ amah.

2. Service 28:3 3. They both had twenty five letters total.

Rashi 28:10 4. Either that the tzitz always atones, even when not being worn, or that the kohen gadol must focus on it constantly while wearing it. 28:38 5. She hid in Shushan for four years. (medrish) 6.The third of Nisan 7. Haman was a barber in the village of Kartzum for 22 years. 8. One third went to Mordechai and Esther, one third went to supporting Torah learners, and one third contributed to the construction of the second Beis Hamikdash.

Purim: A Day Ahavas Yisrael, and ue Giving

By Alan Vashovsky, 2021

One of the primary mitzvos of Purim is the mitzvah of mishloach manos. One of the main ideas of this mitzvah is to create a sense of happiness and joy between us and our fellow Jew. How does this activity create the feelings of joy and happiness that we come to expect on Purim?

Rav Eliyahu Dessler in sefer Michtav Mi’Eliyahu touches upon a most important point for every Jew to understand: Giving is not just a manifestation of our love, giving creates our love for others. Think about it, if someone were to buy you a car, you would surely love the car. On the other hand, if you worked very hard and then bought the car yourself, your appreciation for the car would run much deeper. The reason for this is that every person loves themselves, and by putting effort into the acquisition of the car, they see the car as an extension of themselves.

Rav Dessler applies this to our relationships with our fellow Jews. He writes, “If one were to give to everyone, he’d view no one as a stranger.” Rav Dessler then says that to fulfill the commandment of “love your neighbor as you love yourself” you must put enough effort into your relationship with your neighbor to the point that you see him as an extension of yourself.

If we look at the heroes of the Purim story, we see an incredible amount of selflessness and the willingness to give. It is stated in the Megillah (chapter 4) that Mordechai urged Esther to confront the King herself and protest the decree of Haman without having been summoned. This act put herself in grave danger. Esther put her life at stake on 3

behalf of her fellow Jews. Klal Yisrael fasted when Esther appeared before Achashverosh. Each person sacrificed and gave up three days of eating for the sake of their brothers and sisters.

With the above teaching of Rav Dessler in mind, we know what resulted from the self-sacrifice of the Jewish people through their fasting and the many selfless acts of Mordechai and Esther. Ahavas Yisrael (love for one’s fellow Jew) must have been at an all-time high to be able to achieve the great salvation of the Purim story.

We can now look at the mitzvos of Purim in a new light.

Since we were saved on Purim by our many acts of giving, we commemorate the miracle with special mitzvos done through giving. When you give mishloach manos to your friend and when you donate money to charity, you are not simply doing an act for the benefit of the recipient. You are giving to create the love between you and your fellow Jew, which is the special avodah of Purim.

This idea is not only beneficial to us on Purim; it affects all aspects of our Yiddishkeit throughout the year. The Lubavitcher Rebbe famously said, “There are the three loves — love of G-d, love of Torah and love of one's fellow.”

He says that there is no difference between these loves and each one embodies all three. When the mitzvos of Purim are done correctly they generate ahavas Yisrael. Our ahavas Yisrael will thereby increase our love of Hashem, our love of Torah and raise our Jewish lives to a whole new level.

HAFTR HAFTORAH • PURIM EDITION

The Mizbeach that Unites Us By Sara Wallach 2024 By delving into the main ideas of each ‫ פרשה‬and its respective ‫הפטורה‬, the similarities found can enlighten us to the intrinsic connection between them. In this week's ‫פרשה‬ the ‫ תורה‬goes into great detail about the holy objects that were to be used in the ‫משכן‬. The ‫ תורה‬provides us with intricate details regarding the ‫כהנים‬ and their special clothing as well as certain rituals and processes that were performed by the ‫ כהנים‬and the ‫כהן גדול‬. Specifically, we learn about the measurements and materials used on the ‫מזבח הזהב‬, the rings and poles that were placed around it, as well as what will be burned on the ‫מזבח‬, and the intricacies of the ‫קרבנות‬ that were to be sacrificed.

Similar to the ‫פרשה‬, the ‫ הפטורה‬this week is from ‫ספר יחזקאל‬. It also includes many specific details related to the ‫ משכן‬and specifically the ‫מזבח‬.

It provides us with particular measurements; the height from the

floor to the lower ledge and the lower ledge to the upper ledge and the height of the base of the fireplace to the place where the ‫ קרבנות‬were burned. It details the ramp that was attached to the ‫מזבח‬ and speaks about the seven-day cleansing process of the ‫מזבח‬.

From here we can see that the commonality between the ‫ פרשה‬and its ‫ הפטורה‬is the detailed description of the ‫מזבח‬. Why? What is unique about the ‫ מזבח‬that we read the ‫ הפטורה‬that only discusses that object of the ‫?משכן‬ Why did ‫ חז”ל‬not choose a portion of the ‫ נביא‬that spoke about the other vessels of the ‫ בית המקדש‬as well?

The answer is that the ‫ מזבח‬is a unifying factor of ‫עם ישראל‬. There were three times of the year in which all of ‫ בני ישראל‬gathered together at the ‫משכן‬ or ‫בית המקדש‬. Each member of ‫בני ישראל‬ (no matter his status) gathered together to give the special ‫ קרבנות‬and serve Hashem on the ‫שלש רגלים‬. They did not come together to light the ‫ מנורה‬or to

eat bread from the ‫שלחן‬. Rather, they came together to use the ‫ מזבח‬and to serve Hashem through their gift of ‫קרבנות‬.

Therefore, the ‫ מזבח‬is an essential part of the ‫ משכן‬and ‫ בית המקדש‬and our service to Hashem because everyone needs it.

Every single Jew was obligated to give ‫קרבנות‬. Whether it be a ‫ קרבן‬in honor of the ‫ שלש רגלים‬or a ‫קרבן חטאת‬, everyone was required to give ‫ קרבנות‬to Hashem.

The ‫מזבח‬, therefore, has a special purpose for every Jew! Accordingly, it makes sense that Hashem goes into great detail about its measurements and requirements in both the ‫ פרשה‬and the ‫ הפטורה‬portion.

It teaches us that no matter who we are or what level we believe ourselves to be, we can each find a way to serve Hashem and become closer to Him. Today, even without ‫ קרבנות‬and a ‫מזבח‬, we can find a way to bring service to Hashem into our own lives and ‫ אי”ה‬merit to be serving Hashem with the actual ‫מזבח‬ very soon!

One of These Fasts is Not Like the Others

By Michelle Kirschner, 2022

There is something special and unique about Taanis Esther as compared to the other rabbinic fasts. The other fasts commemorate and mourn the various elements of the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash. Taanis Esther, however, is a day where we honor the heroism and righteousness of the Jews and Esther at the time of the Purim story. Esther planned to visit the king, uninvited, to plead for the survival of the Jewish people. She was not only worried for the nation’s safety but for her own safety as well. She knew that anyone who came before the king uninvited and who was not pointed at with the king’s scepter would be killed.

Therefore, she asked that the Jewish people fast for three days in advance as preparation for her meeting and daven for her success. From this story it seems that Taanis Esther is a celebration of the salvation of that time and the fast is part of how we commemorate the nation’s sacrifice.

Nevertheless, on Taanis Esther we read the same Krias HaTorah and Haftorah that we read for every other Taanis!

If Taanis Esther is distinct and not a fast of mourning like the others, then why are we reading the same Haftorah?

The key to understanding this connection is in the Haftorah itself. We read the Haftorah from Sefer Yeshayahu. The Navi says that it is never too late to ask Hashem to do teshuva

4

as long as a person lives.

The common denominator between all of the fasts is that they are days that offer us the opportunity to do teshuva and come closer to Hashem. Regarding the fast days pertaining to the destruction of the Beis Hamikdash, the idea of teshuva seems more appropriate. The idea is that on these days of mourning we recognize what we are lacking, and that inspires us to do teshuva to fix and make up what we are missing.

However, why during the joyous time of Purim is it appropriate to designate a day for teshuva? The answer is that the goal of teshuva is to perfect ourselves and make ourselves better and closer to Hashem. Taanis Esther demonstrates that it is not only in times of mourning and destruction that we need to reflect and introspect.

Rather, even at times of immense joy and celebration, there is an opportunity to recognize what Hashem has done for us as well as recognize how we can improve. At a time when we celebrate redemption and our nation’s tefilos being answered, we can direct our joy and excitement to reflect on how we can increase our connection with Hashem.

HAFTR HAFTORAH • PURIM EDITION

The Sound of Joy

By Abby Kammerman, 2024

enough to just do the mitzvot and study where they stated ‫״נעשה ונשמע״‬. The This week's parsha, Parshat Tetzaveh, Torah, but we have to understand that second is from Megillat Esther when focuses on the clothing worn by the there is both good and evil in the world.

Achashverosh issued the decree kohanim and the kohen gadol. One Where there is evil, we have to confront it. about wives showing respect to their piece of clothing discussed in the Our brothers and sisters who serve in the husbands after Vashti disobeyed parsha is the kohen gadol’s robe. On Israeli army embody this; they are him- ‫״ונשמע פתגם המלך״‬. This was the first the bottom of the robe there were confronting the evil that threatens the of a number of decrees issued by alternating pomegranate shaped Jewish people.

Achashverosh that are in the Megillah, spheres and gold bells. At the So what does the “‫ ”ונשמע‬in Parshat including the evil decree to destroy the conclusion of the Torah’s description Tetzaveh teach us? Why do we need to Jews on the 13th of Adar. of the robe of the kohen gadol the “hear” the sounds of the bells on the kohen What do these three uses of the word pasuk says: ‫אהרון לשרת ונשמע‬-‫״והיה על‬ gadol’s robe when he comes to do the “‫ ”ונשמע‬teach us? With ‫נעשה ונשמע‬, the ‫קולו בבאו אל הקדש לפני ה׳ ובצאתו ולא ימות״‬ service? This sound is a joyful sound and it Torah teaches us that it is not enough to “Aharon shall wear [this robe] when teaches us that we need to approach our formulaically perform the mitzvot. We he performs the divine service. The ANSWERS own Avodat Hashem with happiness-we need to understand what we are doing. sound [of the bells] shall be heard The Kingthe hassanctuary Haman hanged shouldn’t do a mitzvah just because we At Har Sinai the Jewish people didn’t when7.he enters before 5. The Jews fast feel we have to. Rather, we should do the just commit to keeping the Torah, they Hashem, and when he goes out, [so granted Haman the seal also to destroy mitzvot with joy and excitement. As we wantedthe to Jews understand it. That is why that]4. heThe willKing not die.” enter Shabbat after a day of Purim The King made a points feast inout Shushan we for do all of subjects nothis just learn lists of halachot, but Rabbi1. Joseph Radinsky festivities, we should be excited and we dive into deep learning of Chumash 8. Mordechai in command that the phrase of was ‫ קולו״‬made ‫״ונשמע‬second is a perform these mitzvot with joy. and Gemara. similar tochosen two other places in 2. phrase Esther is as queen With regard to the Megillah, the “‫”ונשמע‬ Tanach where the word “‫”ונשמע‬ is 6. The King reads about the plot against him and asks Haman to honor Mordechai us you used.3.One is after the Mordechai toldJewish Estherpeople of the plot teaches against the Kinghave to understand human nature. To be a Jew, it is not accepted the Torah on Har Sinai

By Raquel Gottlieb, 2022

5

HAFTR HAFTORAH • PURIM EDITION

HAFTR HIGH SCHOOL PURIM 2021 EDITION

haftorah@haftr.org Layout and Design Tamar Freundlich Design