When the Jewish People were about to build their first synagogue the sanctuary in the desert the architects were told by God to design a sculpture to sit above the holy ark. “Two cherubim, two angel-like figures shall be chiseled on each end of the cover. And the cherubim shall have their wings spread upwards toward heaven with their faces turned toward one another.” (Exodus 25:18-20)
Here, in just two sentences, we have a blueprint for the purpose of the desert Sanctuary built by Moses, in Parashah Vayakhel, long ago and the shul built by the Jew today.
And the cherubim shall have their wings spread upwards as if flying toward the heavens. The function of a synagogue is primarily to lift us heavenward, to lift us out of the everyday earthliness and to lead us to higher ideals. We enter the synagogue to soar and take flight.
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The classic medieval commentator, Rashi, quotes an earlier midrashic source that connects the ceremonial ashes of the
Parah Adumah (Red Heifer) not just to the immediate ritual purity that its ashes bring individuals, but to a more mystical atonement for the collective national crime of the
Egel Hazahav the historic Golden Calf episode that dominates this week’s Torah reading. This year, as I reread Rashi’s comments “
Let The Cow Come And Clean Up The Mess Left By The Calf.” re: the Parah Adumah (the mom) cleaning up the mess of the kid (the Egel), who knew just a year ago that I’d be able to identify so closely with the hero of Parshas Para (the archetypal mom) through an elongated stint at home cleaning up the mess of others (and my own). To supplement an old adage: “Man plans and God laughs. And gives Man a taste of what it’s like to be the Woman, bearing the brunt of the housework, child-rearing, and most everything else.”
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Post-Purim Perspectives on the Divine Influence on Megillat Esther By Rabbi Haim Jachter | March 04, 2021
I read Megillat Esther no less than 13 times this past Purim! I made every effort to ensure that everyone in Shaarei Orah and Torah Academy of Bergen County (partnering with alumnus and executive director Judah Rosenbaum and sophomore Ari Mazin) had the opportunity to hear a live Megilla reading. A week after a Megillat Esther-infused Purim, we share some thoughts inspired by these many readings as to why I am thoroughly convinced that Megillat Esther was written with ruach hakodesh (Divine influence).
Fulfilled Prediction
The Gemara (Megilla 7a) observes that the stunning prediction made toward Megillat Esther’s end that Jews will always celebrate Purim demonstrates the Divine influence (ruach hakodesh) on this magnificent scroll.