Re: Purim and Yom HaShoah

Jack sent this

"Remembering" for 20 seconds does not even begin to "give back to God" the precious souls lost in the Shoah, no matter how many people "remember." The absolute cream of institutions of Jewish learning were devastated. Entire Chassidic courts and dynasties were obliterated forever. Take somewhat more than 20 seconds and learn one drop of what they have left us. Here is a small bit for Purim, just a drop in the ocean, written, actually, by a successor to the dynasty of the Chassidim of Slonim.

 

We are taught that Purim will never be forgotten by the Jewish people. Why Purim, especially? He starts with a parable. Two men are given the same assignment: learn to distinguish people in the dark. Imagine whatever circumstances; such as soldiers at a remote outpost, for example, or fugitives in a cave. One solves the problem by lighting a torch and, by the light of the torch, can distinguish one person from another. The other trains himself to recognize people by their voices, including not only the timbre of their voices but also their cadences, choices of expression, characteristic laugh or interjection. When the sun comes up, the torch is of no use and the person who used it has learned no new skill. The man who learned to distinguish voices, however, has learned a skill that serves him well in the light of day as well.

 

"Night" is always a referrence to the period of exile. "Day" is always a hint of the Final Redemption from exile, the age of Mashiah --- the Messiah. The chaggim, the major holidays (Pesah, Shavuot and Succot) and even Shabbat, are all zekher yetziyat Mitzrayim --- in remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt. Those were all accompanied by great and memorable miracles that are wonderous to us. Those are instances of God revealing himself to the world, even imposing Himself on the world. They are torches in the darkness by which we can recognize God. The experience of the events of Purim are different. We learned to perceive God in the darkness and to recognize His Presence. The Final Redemption will be accompanied by miracles and wonders so great that those celebrated by the other holidays will appear as insignificant as a torch in broad daylight. But the skills of recognition that we have learned from Purim and the knowledge of God that we acquired will never lose their relevance or importance.

Purim Sameah.

 

Jack Golbert

On Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 1:17 AM, <Agolbert@aol.com> wrote:

Done as instructed.

 

In a message dated 3/11/2008 4:20:40 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, abaker@carlsmith.com writes:

 

Subject: Yom HaShoah

 

 

   Holocaust Remembrance Day -  May  2,



   Please wait 20 Seconds before you close this e-mail.
 
  This message asks you to do one small act to  remember the six million (6,000,000) Jewish lives that were lost during  the Holocaust.
 
  Send this message to everyone you know who is Jewish.
 
  If we reach the goal of reaching six million  e-mail names before May 2, we will fulfill and give back to G-d what He  gave to us: 6 million Jews who are alive today who remember  those who perished.
 
  Please  send this message to as many Jews as you  know.
  Ask them to also forward it to  others. 


  Thank you.

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