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.
Purim Tetzaveh
Some years ago, the Jewish blogosphere was consumed with a relatively new controversy surrounding Purim and the reading of the Megillah. Some proud Jewish feminists noted a gender imbalance early on in the Megillah: Despite the Megillah being named after Queen Esther– our supposed protagonist of the story– only Mordechai gets a communal introduction in the Megillah. In the beginning of the second chapter of the Megillah, when the audience is first introduced to Mordechai and Esther, the custom has developed that the congregation recites the verse introducing Mordechai outloud together in unison– marking the dramatic significance of his introduction to the story. Yet, despite Mordechai and Esther being introduced in adjacent verses, and the supposed central role of Esther as the eponymous character of the Megillah, Esther does not receive a similar introduction. Thus, a push was born to correct this injustice and recite the verse introducing Esther out loud as well.
While I don’t intend to cast any aspersions on other customs or practices, this practice is not our custom at Stanton Street and will not be what we do this year. But I think undeniably it begs an essential question at the heart of the Megillah. Is Esther really the hero of the Purim story? We know the Megillah is named after her, and I, as I’m sure many of us, would love for there to be more empowered female heroines featured in the bible. Yet, despite this, a cursory read of the Purim story may leave one confused as to why it is called Megillat Esther and not Megillat Mordechai. After all, isn’t Mordechai the older, informed Jewish leader who is advising Esther, creating a strategy, and overseeing it? Esther, while undoubtedly brave in her approach of Achashveirosh, is just following Mordechai’s plan?
This question is just exacerbated when we look at the content of introductions the two characters actually get in the Megillah– irrespective of whether we recite the verses out loud. Mordechai is introduced as, “There was a certain Jew in Shushan the castle, whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair the son of Shimei the son of Kish, a Benjamite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives that had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away” (Esther 2:5-6). Mordechai gets a lengthy introduction, situating him in the context of a long impressive legacy of Jewish leadership going back to the Jewish nobility of Jerusalem. But more than the length and pomp surrounding Mordechai’s introduction, the perspective is telling. Mordechai is the “certain Jew” that is being featured, and everything, even the introduction of Esther, is told from Mordechai’s point of view. While Mordechai’s entire family lineage, tribe, and history gets recorded, when we’re introduced to Esther we are merely told, “And he brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter; for she had neither father nor mother” (2:7). In other words, even Esther’s introduction is entirely from Mordechai’s perspective, being told as a footnote in our introduction to Mordechai. Additionally, the contrast between Mordechai, who is situated as the descendant of many generations of Jewish greatness, and Esther, who is a parentless orphan, is striking. If this is Mordechai’s story, and as such Mordechai gets the hero’s introduction, why is this Megillah named after Esther? ...continued
Click HERE to read the Rabbi's full Drasha
COVID PURIM GUIDE
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.
