Table Talk from the desk of Rabbi Alexander Seinfeld
March 22-23, 2024 • 13 Adar 2 5784 • Vayikra (Lev 1-5).
The goal of this blog is to blur some boundaries at the Shabbat table.
First, I'm happy to report that last week's seeds are doing well — 15 sprouted and sitting cosy by a sunny window.
Second, did you remember that tomorrow night and Sunday is.... ɯᴉɹnԀ?
Question for your table: Why did I write that upside-down?
If that stumps everyone, try this one that I asked a number of people this week:
Do you relate to Purim more as a kids' holiday or an adult holiday?
It's the easiest holiday for kids – wear a costume and run around exchanging treats with your friends.
Similar to what I said last week about the joys of planting seeds, we adults often lose this Purim joy and don't know how to get it back.
No worries, it's easier than you'd think. Four suggestions:
1. Try reading the whole Megilla in English from start to finish without a break. Do this Saturday night or Sunday morning. This may be the first time in your life that you actually read the entire story as an adult, or the first time in many years.
2. Put together a nice modest package of ready-to-eat food to give on Sunday to a fellow Jewish person.
3. Give enough money to a poor person to buy 2 meals, or to a fund that gives out such gifts on Purim day.
4. On Sunday afternoon, have yourself a little festive meal with a couple glasses of wine, and think about the following radical thought:
Since Haman, no one has done so much for Jewish unity as Hamas.
If you don't grok it, maybe have one more drink...
Shabbat Shalom and
Happy ɯᴉɹnԀ
Alexander Seinfeld
Second, did you remember that tomorrow night and Sunday is.... ɯᴉɹnԀ?
Question for your table: Why did I write that upside-down?
If that stumps everyone, try this one that I asked a number of people this week:
Do you relate to Purim more as a kids' holiday or an adult holiday?
It's the easiest holiday for kids – wear a costume and run around exchanging treats with your friends.
Similar to what I said last week about the joys of planting seeds, we adults often lose this Purim joy and don't know how to get it back.
No worries, it's easier than you'd think. Four suggestions:
1. Try reading the whole Megilla in English from start to finish without a break. Do this Saturday night or Sunday morning. This may be the first time in your life that you actually read the entire story as an adult, or the first time in many years.
2. Put together a nice modest package of ready-to-eat food to give on Sunday to a fellow Jewish person.
3. Give enough money to a poor person to buy 2 meals, or to a fund that gives out such gifts on Purim day.
4. On Sunday afternoon, have yourself a little festive meal with a couple glasses of wine, and think about the following radical thought:
Since Haman, no one has done so much for Jewish unity as Hamas.
If you don't grok it, maybe have one more drink...
Shabbat Shalom and
Happy ɯᴉɹnԀ
Alexander Seinfeld
PS - Yes, the image is clickable, as usual....
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