Next week, Jews around the world will celebrate Purim, a holiday known for costumes and groggers, hamantaschen and Megillah reading, dancing at Purim mesibahs (parties) and family-filled Purim seudas. In our humble opinion, Purim contains greater depth than costumes, triangle cookies and eating Thanksgiving dinner in March. It represents the national Jewish day of giving and kindness.
At the beginning of Megillat Esther, the Jewish people attended King Achashverosh’s seven-day afterparty. In the first chapter of Megillat Esther we’re told that each person at this party could drink as much wine as they wanted. Each person at the party could request any food or demand any drink from King Achashverosh’s staff. This sounds like a medieval version of Woodstock or Animal House. In this moment, King Achashverosh allowed Shushan’s Jewish population to party alongside their fellow Persian citizens and assimilate into Persian society.
Then a few chapters later, an unexpected turn occurs. The King’s most senior official named Haman bribes him to sign a heartbreaking decree legalizing the genocide of every Jew on the 14tht day of Adar. News of the unexpected decree left Jews across King Achashverosh’s kingdom confused. Jews and Persians had partied for a week together. Jews and Persians had engaged in business together. Suddenly, the Persians announce that every Jew will be killed on one day. Upon hearing news of the decree, Mordchai cried and screamed all over Shushan.
On the feared 14th day of Adar, God provided the Jewish people strength to overcome their enemies in recordbreaking numbers. Once all the battles concluded, the Jewish people celebrated in an unexpected fashion. “mishloach manotish le-reyahu u’matnot l’evyonim—the Jewish people gave food portions to one another and gifts to the poor.” The Jewish people celebrated near extermination by giving portions of food to peers and friends and donating gifts to the poor? Amidst the joy of victory, our people chose to give rather than take?
In his book, “We’re All in This Together,” Rabbi Yissocher Frand shared a story about the importance of giving. Several years ago, a member of the Baltimore Jewish community received a cancer diagnosis and remained hospitalized for treatment. The news reached shuls all over Maryland, and friends, peers and generous community members dedicated time to visit this hospital-bound man daily. Visitors would bring sushi, cholent, pizza, entertainment and seforim..
One day, Rabbi Frand paid this man a visit. The man greeted Rabbi Frand while in bed and they shared divrei Torah and small talk. Before leaving, Rabbi Frand asked a final question, “Is there anything I can bring you?” The man thought it over and replied, “Yes. Can you bring me a shoe shining kit?”
The next day Rabbi Frand returned with a shoe shining kit. A smile erupted across the hospitalized man’s face. “Can you take off your shoes?” Rabbi Frand took off his shoes. “I’m not sure why you want me to take off my shoes.” The man opened the shoe shining kit and began to shine Rabbi Frand’s shoes.” Shocked and surprised, Rabbi Frand responded, “Please, I brought this to you as a gift, not for you to shine my shoes.”
Amid shining Rabbi Frand’s shoes, the man offered a memorable reply. “You know, rabbi, people come to visit me all the time. And it’s great. They always ask, “Can we get you sushi, pizza, cholent, entertainment, seforim? And rabbi, I asked you to bring me a shoe shining kit so I can give to someone. Because rabbi, if you can’t give, you can’t live.”
A few years ago, Rabbi Robbie Schrier pinpointed a connection between Purim and giving. The previous year, Rabbi Schrier had accompanied Rabbi Yehudah Kelemer around West Hempstead for Purim. Both rabbis spent Purim day visiting and spreading joy to sick and lonely members of the community. Right before sunset, Rabbi Kelemer sat in his car for the Purim seuda. This consisted of a mini bottle of grape juice and one challah roll. Upon sharing this story, Rabbi Schrier relayed a powerful lesson gleaned from Rabbi Kelemer. “That Purm, Rabbi Kelemer showed me what Purim’s really all about. It’s not about just trying to be holy with my chevra— just trying to make my own Purim special— but it’s about making Purim special for others.”
This Purim and beyond find one person to give to. If a certain member of your shul does not get invited out much for Shabbat meals, have them over one Shabbat dinner. If a certain member of your shul cannot find work, offer to do mock interviews with them. If a certain single individual or widow will be alone for the Purim seuda, make space for one more. To quote the Rambam in his laws of Purim. “Nothing brings God more joy than seeing you bring joy to strugglers in your community.” Let’s bring God more joy than ever this Purim.
One shul in Washington Heights, the Beis Community Shul, must be recognized for the immense kindness it provides our fellow Jews. The shul is run by Rabbi Hart Levine, Tanya Faber and Jacob Klein. It hosts communal Friday night potluck dinners for community members, countless free events— like berry picking tours—open to everyone, and jam-packed shiurim. For the last decade and change, Rabi Levine has gone out of his way to greet Washington Heights community members and strangers with genuine warmth and love. He reminds those who know him of the late Rabbi Aryeh Levine and is a true “Tzaddik in our Time.”
