World Mizrachi Movement - World Mizrachi Weekly Parsha -

The Gemara in Tractate Chullin 139b asks "Where is Esther found in the Torah?". In other words, where is the miracle of Esther hinted to in the Torah? The answer given is that it is hinted in the pasuk "and I will surely hide my face on that day". [The Hebrew words in the phrase haster astir, "I will surely hide", are from the same root as the name Esther – Ed.]

The question is asked, why were the Sages bothered about Esther so much and her source in the Torah – we have never heard about such interest in other great leaders through whom miracles occurred, like "Where is Yehoshua found in the Torah?", "Where is Eliyahu found in the Torah?". Chazal weren't even interested in asking "Where is Chanukah found in the Torah?", so what causes such interest to search for the source in the Torah specifically of the Purim miracle and Esther?

Rather, a miracle that occurs in Eretz Yisrael is not novel, since the power of Eretz Yisrael is different from any other place in the world. The specialness and holiness of the Holy Land causes miracles. And for sure when we are talking about a miracle that occurred when the Beit HaMikdash was standing. Therefore, Chazal didn’t ask about Chanukah's miracles which took place in Eretz Yisrael and were conncected to the Beit HaMikdash.

This is not the case with Purim, which took place in Chutz LaAretz, in the time period between the First and Second Temple, at the height of the exile, at a time that Hashem was behaving with us with hester panim, concealing himself from us.

Therefore, Chazal wanted to know "Where is Esther found in the Torah?". That means where is it hinted that even in a time of hester panim, while we are in galut, exile, Hashem performs for us with much mercy and kindness open miracles like the example [from the Megilla] of "everything was overturned: the Jews dominated their enemies"? [venahafoch hu]. Therefore, Chazal replied with the pasuk of "and I will surely hide my face on that day" – even at a time of hester panim Hashem saved us through Esther, bringing redemption to Am Yisrael.

Therefore the name of the Megilla is "Megillat Esther" even though her main name according to Chazal was Hadassah, it is not called "Megillat Hadassah", but "Megillat Esther". This teaches us about the rarity of miracles that occur in a time of hester panim.

Therefore the Rambam ruled (Hilchot Megilla 4:18): All the writings of the Prophets (Neviim) and Scriptures (Ketuvim) will be annuled in the future times of Moshiach, except Megillat Esther which will exist like the 5 books of the Torah. The Rambam's source is from the Yalkut Shimoni: All the festivals will be annulled, but the days of Purim will never be annulled.

And why? Because the memory of the days of Purim remain for eternity more than other miracles, for none of the other miracles occurred at a time of hester panim, but with the revealed behaviour of Hashem, and there will also be many more of these types of revealed miracles at the time of Moshiach which (according to the words of Chazal in Berachot 12b) will make the miracles in Egypt seem like nothing in comparison to the miracles of the time of Moshiach. This is not so with the miracle of Esther, which is intended to show Hashem's providence specifically at a time of hester panim – this memory will remain forever, never to be annulled.

News & Events

SIGN UP NOW - Halacha Yomit program

Our latest program – World Mizrachi's Halacha Yomit program. Join us in this worldwide learning initiative. To sign up, visit www.mizrachi.org/kitzur

World Mizrachi Heritage Tour #8 – India

The participants of the World Mizrachi Jewish Heritage Tour to India have all returned safely having experienced an outstanding trip. Please check our website for photos which will be uploaded soon.

RZLA Yom HaAtzmaut Shabbaton

In honor of the 61st celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut, the RZLA are hosting a Shabbaton featuring outstanding Religious Zionist rabbinic leaders from Israel (Rabbis Aaron Adler, Motti Elon, Seth Farber, Benny Lau and Shlomo Riskin). The Shabbaton, to be held on April 24-25 2009, promises to be a wonderful event. For more information, contact Steve Berger on 310-274-6657.

Personals

Please advise us of all good news and sad news that you care to share with others, else we cannot post it – email mizrachi@worldmizrachi.org .

Refuah Sheleimah– World Mizrachi wishes a Refuah Sheleimah to Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu Shlita, Mordechai Tzemach Ben Mazal Tov (Former Chief Rabbi of Israel.)

Israelat 60 Greeting Cards

World Mizrachi are proud to offer 6 blank greeting cards on the occasion of Israel at 60 to send to others to increase the awareness of this monumental occasion. To order sets email mizrachi@worldmizrachi.org

Sefer Torah Dedication

World Mizrachi is writing a Sefer Torah to honor its long-time World Chairman Mr. Kurt Rothschild, who has dedicated his life to Eretz Yisrael, Am Yisrael & Torat Yisrael. We invite you to join us in this endeavor. Full details available at: www.mizrachi.org

Book of the Month

NEW from the Book of the Month club – proudly brought to you by World Mizrachi & Urim Publications:

Nechama Leibowitz: Teacher and Bible Scholar

Exodus and Emancipation: Biblical and African-American Slavery

World Mizrachi - Since 1902