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We are saddened to hear the upsetting news from Israel and New Zealand. Our thoughts are with the victims and we pray for peace in the world.
Yet, even during difficult times, the Jews never stopped to celebrate the Holidays. The Holidays are not a matter of if we are in the mood or not.
Therefore, we turn to the holiday of Purim, which we will celebrate next week. How will you dress up?
Here are Chabad, we are in the midst of the preparations for the joyful celebration and the party on Wednesday. (Call us for details and to reserve. If you did not reserve yet, do so asap because space is limited!)
We have arranged for the menu, the music, the raashanim to make noise during the Meguila reading, the serpentines, the wine of course...
The Cretan interpreter Michalios has prepared especially for us super nice and funny rhymes (madinades) for Purim as well as a great musical program...
Of course, we are preparing in the entrance, as every year, plenty of funny hats and other accessories for the people to dress up, for those who did not bring a costume. But many do come ready with beautiful costumes and wear them once they arrive at the Chabad House!
But why do we dress up?
It is connected to the way the story of the Meguila unfolded. The Jewish people were in great danger, as the Prime Minister Haman had purely and simply planned their genocide. Yet the Jewish people were miraculously saved. Were there plagues who smote the villains? Was there a sea that split? Was there a G-dly voice coming from Heaven? No!
It all seemed like a natural course of events. Only that everything happened exactly at the time and the place it had to happen in order to save the Jewish people. Coincidence?
Jewish people have another word for that: Divine Providence. This means that G-d's intervention is hidden under the mask of nature, and in a certain way, is even greater that open miracles.
And this is why young and old put on masks and dress up on Purim, to remind us to always look beyond the mask for G-d's Divine Providence.
There is a beautiful quote that Nehama prepared that reflects this idea: click here to see it on Facebook and Instagram.
PS: Chabad's social media presence is the new "baby" of Nehama. Click "like" and "follow" so you don't miss any new posts.
Shabbat Shalom and Purim Sameach,
Rabbi Mendel and Nehama Hendel