Because many of us are not able to attend shul in person, the Rabbi has agreed to share his shabbat morning drashah in advance. Here is the first half of it. To read the full drashah, click here and it will take you to what will become a rich archive of all of Rabbi Staller's drashot.
TERUMAH DRASHA
Famously, Professor Yeshayah Leibowitz would go to Jerusalem on the 14th of Adar and leave for the 15th, missing both Purim and Shushan Purim and avoiding the holiday entirely. Professor Leibowitz was not just a spoilsport who didn’t appreciate a good party, but rather, raised substantive and difficult objections to the very nature of Purim. At the heart of Purim, we celebrate the Jewish military victory, as Esther secured the right to self-defense from King Achashveirosh. But, as the Megillah tells us, the Jew did not merely defend themselves, but rather, waged a bloody and deadly war, wiping out thousands. Professor Leibowitz felt uncomfortable celebrating this bloody and violent day, and, following a very strict interpretation of Halakha, came up with a clever way to avoid it.
While we may or may not relate to Professor Leibowitz’s perspective on Purim, I think the difficulty that lies at the heart of Parshat Zachor, which we read this Shabbat, before Purim, might be a little bit more universal. We read on Parashat Zachor about Amaleik’s unjust attack against the Jewish people as they left Egypt, as a fulfillment of the Torah commandment to remember what Amaleik did to us. However, the commandment is not merely based in memory, but has a specific call to action. We are commanded to “wipe out the memory of Amaleik from under the sky” (Deut. 25:19). In the Haftorah, we read about Shaul being chastised by the prophet Shmuel for allowing even animals of Amaleik to survive– much less their king– as the command to wipe out Amaleik is so thorough as to include even animals and children. Surely if some find Purim to be problematic, Parashat Zachor is even more troubling.
Of course, we are hardly the first to raise the ethical issue of the command to destroy Amaleik. While some try to contextualize the Mitzvah and claim that total destruction was a norm of religious war at the time, we see many early parts of the tradition expressing similar discomfort at this commandment. Indeed, the Gemara in Yoma (22b) tells us that Shaul’s hesitancy to wipe out Amaleik came from a similar place of ethical disbelief, as it records Shaul asking whether the animals and children really sinned, to be deserving of death. Our very first case of Amaleik ethical anxiety comes in the bible itself! ...continued
Click HERE to read the Rabbi's full Drasha
COVID PURIM GUIDE
As Rosh Chodesh Adar swiftly approaches, Purim prep is in full swing here at the Shul! As such, some Halakhic guidelines to be aware of for Purim during COVID:
Parshat Zakhor: The Shabbat before Purim is Shabbat Zakhor, in which we read the section from Parashat Ki Teitzei where Amaleik attacks the Jewish people. We hold that hearing this Parashah constitutes a Mitzvah DeOreita, a Torah commandment, as it fulfills the obligation of “Remember what Amaleik did to you.” As such, ideally everyone should hear Zakhor read in person from a Torah. If that is not possible due to the COVID reality, you should read Parashat Zakhor (Deut. 25:17-19) to yourself from a Chumash, and when Parasha Ki Teitzei (August 21, 2021) comes around, assuming (God willing) that we are past COVID isolation, you should have in mind then for the Torah reading to fulfill your biblical obligation of remembering Amaleik.
Fasting: While one should fast for Taanit Esther, as all minor fasts, if one has any symptoms of COVID whatsoever, even if they are not yet severe or they have not yet gotten test results back, they should not fast. Same if you are COVID positive, of course.
Megillah: Ideally, Megillat Esther reading should be heard in person. Unlike Eichah and some of the other Megillot we read, the reading of Megillat Esther is not a Minhag, a custom, bur rather, a Mitzvah, a commandment based in the biblical verses of the Book of Esther. As such, the standard expected to fulfill the Mitzvah is higher, and it is harder to fulfill it via Zoom. Ideally, if one cannot hear the Megillah in person out of caution, quarantine, or illness, the next best option is borrow/purchase a Megillah and read it for one’s self. However, acknowledging that most do not have the means or access to purchase their own Megillah, we will be broadcasting our Megillah reading live with Zoom. While most authorities are hesitant to allow for a Zoom Megillah reading, if that is your best option, please be sure to attend it live, as that is halakhically more sound.
Matanot LaEvyonim: There is a Mitzvah on the day of Purim itself to distribute funds to at least two poor individuals, so that they may afford meals for the day. We will have a local in-person option, coordinated with Rabbi Joe, as advertised in the announcements. Additionally, one can fulfill the Mitzvah by donating to any in-person charitable organization available online (Yad Eliezer is a popular Israel-based charity). If someone needs help fulfilling this Mitzvah, feel free to reach out to Rabbi Leead.
Machtzit HaShekel: It is customary to give a donation to the synagogue in this season as a remembrance to the half-Shekel coin that was donated to the Temple as part of the census. Donations can be made here, and at the in-person Megillah reading there will be half dollar coins available for those who would like to perform the customary Machtzit HaShekel ritual. Seeing as this is a custom, if you cannot make it in person, don’t worry.
Mishloach Manot: There is a Mitzvah to give a package with at least two foods (ideally fit for a meal) to a friend on Purim, in order to build community and connection. As per the CDC guidelines, preparing even homemade food is relatively low risk for COVID. While in years past, many may have gotten into the habit of giving Mishloach Manot to their entire social circle, the Mitzvah only requires one package be given. To fulfill the Mitzvah, one can gift any ready-to-eat food items, or purchase and gift a pre-made Mishloach Manot through Yachad . In addition to the Mitzvah on Purim itself, Stanton Street Shul will be collecting money for a “Mishloach Manot Fund” which will send seasonal greeting cards to all members, and provide those Shul members who find themselves alone or in isolation this Purim with a special Mishloach Manot package from the Shul, to help them feel their community’s care. While this does not fulfill the strict Mitzvah of the day, this is a beautiful way to support the Shul and spread the communal spirit of Purim during a difficult period.
Seudah: There is a Mitzvah to have a meal on Purim. During a normal year, there would be a complicated halakhic discussion about the ideal time to have that meal, given that Purim falls on Erev Shabbat. This year, I don’t anticipate that being a problem, as there shouldn’t be large elaborate Seudot. That said, reach out with any specific questions.
