Rabbi Karen's March 2025 Message
March 2, 2025
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Dear Friends,
This past Friday and Saturday we welcomed the month of Adar. With the month of Adar we are taught that we are to be happy, especially as we prepare to celebrate Purim!
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The Talmud tells us that “when the month of Adar arrives, we increase in joy” to welcome a season of miracles. Accordingly, the Talmud tells us that this month is fortuitous for the Jewish people.
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So, what’s in a name? The Hebrew name “Adar” is related to the word “adir,” which denotes strength and power. The Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, z”l, pointed out that the term “adir” is used to refer to the Jewish people. What could be more fitting for the month when the Jewish people’s fortunes are strong?
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Our tradition teaches us that Moshe (Moses) passed away on the 7th of Adar. The Talmud tells us that when Haman, the wicked villain in the Purim story, wanted to destroy the Jewish people, he held a lottery to determine the date that he would kill them. When the lot (called a pur, hence the holiday name of Purim) fell in Adar, he rejoiced. What better month to punish the Jews, he thought, than Adar, when Moshe passed away? Surely, no month could be lower for the Jewish people.
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But what Haman did not know… was that Moshe passed away on the very same date he was born—the 7th of Adar! According to the Talmud, the day of Moshe’s birth helped prevent Haman’s decree from coming to fruition.
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This festival fully celebrates when the Jewish people in Shushan, Persia, were saved from destruction by the bravery of Esther who boldly informed the King (her husband) of Haman’s plan. So on Purim we are taught not only to be filled with joy, but also how important it is to be brave. It was her courage that saved the Jewish people.
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The impact of the words linked to the story of Purim, such as strength, power, bravery and courage are powerful. I choose to believe that these words and the message they send are reminders for us to stand up for what is right and to hold on to faith especially through our very darkest times.
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May we come together this year on Purim filled with the joy of celebration, with the ability to see ourselves as strong and courageous. May we each actively look to find miracles in the world around us and be energized with a renewed sense of pride in ourselves as the Jewish people.
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Plan to join the Purim celebration at Temple Beth Shalom on Saturday, March 15 beginning at 6:30pm. Our evening will include Havdalah, our very own “Royal Feast”, costumes, singing, groggers, the Purim story, and…. of course the ANNUAL RAFFLE DRAWING!
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I look forward to celebrating with you.
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L’hitraot,
Rabbi Karen Tashman
rabbikarentashman@gmail.com
