SEDRA : Terumah Shabbat Zachor Hertz Chumash p. 326 Exodus Ch. 25

This week's Sedra is generously sponsored by Nathan Kuperholz.

SYNOPSIS:

The construction of the Sanctuary and its vessels is a dominant theme for the rest of the book of Exodus. Its purpose will be "and they shall make for Me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them " - i.e. to heighten the awareness and closeness of the Divine Presence among the people of Israel.
The campaign to gather the funds and materials is to be a "gift of the heart" - the attitude which should characterise all campaigns for the maintenance of Jewish life. The vessels to be constructed included:
The Ark of the Covenant which was fashioned from wood and lined inside and outside with gold to house among other things, the Testimony - the Tablets of Stone of the 10 Commandments;
The Kapporet, the top portion for the Ark fashioned from a single solid piece of gold the upper part of which was shaped into the Cherubim;
The Table for the Showbread symbol of G-d's sustenance of the world; Boards, beams and columns with the necessary sockets to build a frame for the Tabernacle;
A Parochet or partitioning curtain to separate the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Sanctuary;
The Altars for the sacrifices and offerings together with their utensils.

SPECIAL MAPHTIR Hertz Chumash P. 856, Deut 25, 17-19
The penultimate verse referring to Rosh Chodesh is repeated again after the conclusion of the Haphtorah.

TELL ME RABBI ..... SHABBAT ZACHOR

Literally "Remember" occurs on the Shabbat before Purim. The Torah commanded us always to remember the attack which Amalek made upon Israel in the wilderness, a symbol of the unprovoked hatred and of the blind and implacable enmity which are the real cause of all suffering on earth. Therefore, this section was ordained to be read on a special Shabbat each year. The haphtorah of Zachor tells of the defeat of Amalek by King Saul. Haman, one of the main figures in the Purim story, is believed to be a descendant of Agag, King of Amalek. It was thus found appropriate to read this paragraph on the Shabbat preceding Purim. All generations are to blot out the cruel spirit of Amalek from the human heart.

PURIM

Purim, observed on 14th Adar, commemorates the saving of the Jewish communities living under Persian rule from Haman's evil designs to exterminate them. It seems the events described in the book of Esther, took place about 450 B.C.E. The name Purim derives from the word pur - lottery, the method used by Haman to select the date for a general massacre of the Jews.
The sudden turn of events in the story of Purim which turned the tables on the oppressor has provided a spark of hope and encouragement to oppressed and victimised Jewish communities throughout the centuries.

FOUR OBSERVANCES
* The most prominent observance of Purim is to listen to the reading of the Scroll of Esther - the Megillah evening and morning. Both men and women are required to listen to the reading of the Megillah. Children should also be trained to attend the Synagogue to fulfil this duty.
Purim observances are based on the following passages : "And Mordechai wrote these things and sent letter to all the Jews ... to enjoin them that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month of Adar as days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. And the Jews took upon themselves... and upon their descendants, that they would keep these two days according to the writing thereof and according to the appointed time, every year". (Esther 9:20-23,27)
* A Festive family dinner Seudah should be held on Purim day fulfilling the directive that these be days of feasting (y'mai mishteh).
* Each person should "send portions" consisting of at least two items of food that may be readily eaten to several friends. This is called in Hebrew shalach manos or mishloach manot.
* Each person should give gifts (charity) to at least two poor people or worthy needy causes. Even a poor person who is himself a recipient of charity must give to others. "A person is required to drink on Purim until he does not know the difference between `cursed be Haman' and `blessed be Mordechai'" (Megillah 75). However one should not vulgarise his behaviour.

Although there is no prohibition of work on Purim one should nonetheless abstain from one's regular job on Purim day (if possible) and celebrate the holiday in the appropriate manner. The custom to hold parades, carnival-type celebrations and parties on Purim and the wearing of costumes and similar merrymaking, especially by the children, is a particularly popular form of Purim festivity.