Devar/5770/Tetsaveh
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< Devar | 5770
עברית
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And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, for splendour and for beauty. (Ex 28:2)
God willing, we will celebrate the Purim holiday this coming Sunday and Monday. Each year there is a frantic race to find the perfect costume. As what imaginary hero, as which monster or politician or star should I dress as this year? Maybe it would be better to be more traditional and dress as "Esther" or "Mordechai"?
It is not enough that the purpose of this race is not to perform our holy Torah's commandments, but rather to act in the manner of the Gentiles: for it is known that the "tradition" of dressing up on Purim began only a few hundred years ago in European countries where the "Carnival" holiday was celebrated. So then a Jew who dresses up is actually coming close to the prohibitions against idolatry. And further: there are some who add an additional prohibition, that of A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment (Deut 22:5). Here he has two Torah prohibitions in one common act!
Our verse tells us that the clothing which God commands be worn is for splendour and for beauty -- and not for derision and mockery, as is the case of the Gentile costumes. We are all children of a King, and we must dress and act likewise. Even our destitute are princes whom we must honor and give sustenance to.
Therefore a person should multiply his "gifts to the destitute", which is a Purim commandment which has no limitation. This, in addition to any other charity he gives during the year. The Rambam wrote concerning this: (On Purim) It is preferable for a person to increase the amount he gives to the poor rather than increase his own meal or the gifts to his friends -- for there is no happiness greater and more beautiful than cheering the hearts of the poor, the orphans and widows and the converts. For the one who gladdens the hearts of these poor creatures resembles (in his actions) the Holy Presence, as the verse states: "to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones" (Isa 57:15) (Laws of Megillah 2:19). With God's help, may we all merit a happy Purim holiday!
Thanks to Mori Michael Barron for his influence on this week's words.
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