Tag: joy

Purim Katan 5782

“Hope deferred maketh the heart sick; but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” – Proverbs 13:12, JPS 1917 Tanach

Expectations in life are often deferred until a later time than one may have hoped. This may be true for prayer, as well as whatever personal goals in life that one may have in mind. It is also true for the holiday of Purim, when there is a “leap year” in the Hebrew calendar. Because Passover is always to be celebrated in the Spring, an extra month is added to the Hebrew calendar seven times within a nineteen year period. Otherwise, Pesach (Passover) would end up being in the winter. Another explanation given is that because the Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar, a month is added according to the specific calculations, so that it will correspond to the solar calendar. During a leap year, the extra month of Adar Sheini (Adar Two) is added, before the month of Nissan.

During a leap year, the question may be asked, “So when do we celebrate Purim – the first month of Adar or the second month of Adar?” The answer given is that we celebrate Purim during the second month of Adar, about a month before Pesach as usual. So, at the beginning of the first month of Adar, that is on Rosh Chodesh Adar 1, the expectation of Purim which is usually celebrated on the fourteenth of the month may be in our thoughts. Yet, during a leap year, the holiday is not celebrated until six weeks later.

Therefore, two weeks after Rosh Chodesh Adar 1, when Purim would normally be celebrated, instead we recognize the day as Purim Katan (Small Purim). On this day (14 Adar 1), it is considered praiseworthy, although not obligatory, to increase one’s sense of joy with a festive meal, and, perhaps, a little bit of wine. At least, this small amount of joy that we bring into our lives, may offset the unfulfilled expectation of the greater joy felt on the actual holiday of Purim. Additionally, Purim Katan would be a good time to think about the miracles in our lives and begin preparing for Purim – thirty days ahead of time – by reading about the significance of Purim, along with its observances.

Incidentally, the day before the holiday of Purim is called Esther Taanim, the fast of Esther. Although we do not fast on the day before Purim Katan, traditionally, some exceptionally devout people will at least skip snacks between meals. Ultimately, we should reflect upon the essential truth that true and lasting joy is not dependent upon festive meals, nor the consumption of alcohol. Tru joy results from serving G-d, in whatever capacity we are able. The more devotion, the greater joy, in the sense of a feeling of contentedness that accompanies our overall fulfillment of purpose, for the sake of one’s soul.

“He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” – Proverbs 15: 15, JPS 1917 Tanach

Sukkot 5782 – Hoshannah Rabbah

“And on the second day [of Sukkot] ye shall present twelve young bullocks, two rams, fourteen he-lambs of their first year, without blemish;  and their meal-offering and their drink-offerings for the bullocks, for the the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance” 

– Numbers 29:17-18, JPS 1917 Tanach

There are subtle hints, that are contained within the passage, whereof the offerings for the days of Sukkot are found. Regarding the phrase, “and their drink-offerings”, the word departs from the singular usage found in other verses. Other variations include v’niskeyhem (v. 31), spelled with an extraneous mem; and un’sacheyha, with an additional yud; also, k’mishpatam (v.33) with an extra mem.  “These variations yield the three superfluous letters mem, yod, and mem, from veniskeiheM, unsakhEha, and kemishpataM, which together spell the Hebrew word for water [MaYiM]” (Taanit 2b:14, sefaria.org). Thus, through these clues, the Torah infers the requirement of the water offerings to accompany the other offerings on these days.

The water-offerings are known as Simchat Beis HaShoavah, Celebration of the Place of Water-Drawing. “Whoever did not see the rejoicing of [this water drawing ceremony] never saw rejoicing in his lifetime” (Mishnah: Sukkah 5:1). This refers to the rejoicing that occurred during the water drawing ceremony at the Temple, each and every day of Sukkot. This was the only time that water was poured out upon the mizbeach (altar). The Talmud associates this ceremony with a greater implication of a messianic nature, “Why is the name of it called the Drawing Out of Water? Because of the pouring out of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit), according to what is said: ‘With joys shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation’” (Isaiah 12:3). As is written elsewhere, confirming the pouring out of the Ruach: “I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 3:1, JPS 1917 Tanach).

poetry: Promise

1 Nissan 5781 Running, the tempest behind me, still present in my thoughts and dreams; yet, somewhere on the horizon, I can see in the distance, there is a place serene. Joyous within myself, outwardly smiling, my emotions never surface enough to be visible; perhaps, a trait from my ancestors upbringing, learned men of books, […]

Promise — Breathing Inspiration

Light Will Prevail

B”H

3 Teves 5781

eighth day of Chanukah

Light will transcend the darkness in our lives when we cast our gaze towards the flame of truth, the eish tamid (eternal light) that is symbolized by Chanukah. The light of the Menorah in the temple, lit by the small cruze of oil found amidst the debris in the Temple, is the light of hope and renewal.

A little known midrash connects that small cruze of oil to the renewal of mankind, creation, and the earth itself, after the Mavul (Flood). When the dove brought back an olive branch in it’s mouth, according to the midrash, Noah pressed enough olive oil to place inside a small container. This cruze of oil was passed down to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When Jacob returned to Beth El, he anointed the foundation stone with this oil. Then, according to the midrash, he hid the small cruze of precious olive oil.

This Place (HaMakom) was none other than Mt. Moriah, where the Temple was eventually established. Yes; because of the miracle of light that lasted for eight days from this precious oil, we celebrate Chanukah today. Midrash is not always meant to be taken literally; therefore, a symbolic viewpoint may be rendered from this particular midrash. One explanation, may have to do with the talmudic saying that the cure precedes the ailment.

Thus, one may conclude that G-d, having foreseen the defilement of the Temple by the Seulicid empire, provided the means for its sanctification, shortly after the near destruction of the earth. The oil, “potential light” was passed down, safeguarded across the generations for its eventual use in re-lighting the menorah in the Temple, signifying the triumph of light over darkness.

The message of hope will be like a small flame illuminating the darkness, despite whatever circumstances may cast a shadow over our lives. Yehi ratzon. May it be His will that the light of hope and renewal throughout the ages will always prevail over darkness. Amein.

daily contemplation: Equanimity

B”H

February 20, 2020

The depths of pain, the heights of joy; yet, there is an equanimity to be found somewhere within the presence of G-d. “Whither shall I go from Thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from Thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, Thou art there; if I make my bed in the nether-world, behold, Thou art there” (Psalm 139:7–8, JPS 1917 Tanach). “Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even weaned as a child” (Psalm 131:2, JPS 1917 Tanach).

A child weaned denotes an equanimity, wherein a person is content in this world with whatever G-d brings his way. The soul grows accustomed to whatever sustenance that G-d provides for spiritual growth. Suffering will often compel a person to reach out towards G-d; and, joy will draw out words of praise to Him. How much more so, when G-d has lifted a struggling soul, high above its personal pains and sufferings, will there indeed be reason to rejoice?

note – this is reposted from my answer to the question:

“Why is suffering just as important as joy?”

(see my profile, Tzvi Fievel at quora.com)

Light Will Prevail

B”H

erev 2 Teves 5780

– eighth night of Chanukah

Light will transcend the darkness in our lives when we cast our gaze towards the flame of truth, the eish tamid (eternal light) that is symbolized by Chanukah. The light of the Menorah in the temple, lit by the small cruze of oil found amidst the debris in the Temple, is the light of hope and renewal.

A little known midrash connects that small cruze of oil to the renewal of mankind, creation, and the earth itself, after the Mavul (Flood). When the dove brought back an olive branch in it’s mouth, according to the midrash, Noah pressed enough olive oil to place inside a small container. This cruze of oil was passed down to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When Jacob returned to Beth El, he anointed the foundation stone with this oil. Then, according to the midrash, he hid the small cruze of precious olive oil.

This Place (HaMakom) was none other than Mt. Moriah, where the Temple was eventually established. Yes; because of the miracle of light that lasted for eight days from this precious oil, we celebrate Chanukah today. Midrash is not always meant to be taken literally; therefore, a symbolic viewpoint may be rendered from this particular midrash. The message of hope will be like a small flame illuminating the darkness, despite whatever circumstances may cast a shadow over our lives.

Yehi ratzon. May it be His will that the light of hope and renewal throughout the ages will always prevail over darkness. Amein.

erev Chanukah

B”H

Historically, Chanukah commemorates the victory of the Macabbees, a small group of pious Jews, who defeated the invading Syrian army. Yet, the Sages deliberately emphasized the miracle of the oil, instead of the military might of the Macabbees. Apropos of reframing the emphasis of the holiday, the Sages brought forth this pasuk (verse) as a reminder of the help the Jewish people received from G-d, when defending themselves against an army much greater than them: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the L-RD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6, JPS 1917 Tanach).

The miracle of the oil, has to do with the pure olive oil that was used in the Temple to light the seven-candled menorah that rested in the sanctuary. After cleaning up the Temple, that had been ransacked by the Syrian army, only one cruze of this pure oil was found. Regular olive oil could not be used for such a holy purpose as lighting this menorah inside of the sanctuary. Because the cruze of oil was only enough for one day, there would not have been enough time to prepare more oil, to keep the menorah burning on successive days. Yet, a miracle occurred: the single cruze of oil lasted for eight days. That is the reason we light candles for eight days on Chanukah.