with Rabbi Marvin Goodman
What Do Jewish Texts Say About Caring for the Needy, and How is the Jewish Community Helping in This Crisis?
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Our texts tell us that in the best of times and in the worst as well, we need to support each other. We should not have second thoughts about it, even when we ourselves are nervous about what tomorrow will bring. In fact, even if we are living on tzedakah, or the charitable donations of others, we are still obligated to donate something to help others.
While tzedakah is commonly thought of as charity, the source of the Hebrew word is tzedek, which means justice. Thus, one who gives tzedakah is pursuing justice... [continued]
Purim and Intermarriage
By Rabbi Geela Rayzel Raphael
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| A 1651 painting by the Dutch artist Jan Victors depicts the scene from the Book of Esther in which the queen confronts Haman at a banquet with her husband, King Ahasuerus. |
Note: On Purim, which begins at sunset on March 9, we dress in costume, carry on in the sanctuary and even have permission to get drunk (if we’re old enough). The writer of this story suggests that it’s important to look at another aspect of the holiday. This story is reprinted from www.interfaithfamily.com.
The emphasis in the story of Purim, the Jewish holiday which falls in March this year, is usually on the costumes and raucous booing to drown out the villain Haman's name. Children are paraded in their alter identities--as everything from Queens to Batman. Carnivals are held to revel in the victory of the Jews fighting against the decree of Achashverosh, the drunken king. Shalach manot (gifts and food packages) are sent from friend to friend based on the traditional celebratory ending of the reading of the Megilah, the Purim narrative. Hamentashen (triangle shaped cookies resembling Haman's hats), are eaten. Jokes and shpiels (plays) are written to highlight the fact that the Jews get the last laugh... [continued] |
