Hamantaschen a Special Purim Treat

You may have noticed that one of the traditional foods which is eaten on Purim is a triangular shaped cookie, usually filled with prunes, poppy seeds, chocolate or apricot filling. These cookies are known as "Hamantaschen", or “Haman’s pockets" in Yiddish, and referred to as "Oznei Haman," "Haman’s ears," in Hebrew. It is also customary to eat seeds and nuts during Purim to remember the foods that Queen Esther ate in the palace of the King when she had no access to kosher food. In addition to conducting a Purim feast with delicious foods during the day on Purim, it is also part of the practice of Purim to deliver gifts of food to friends, neighbors and relatives on Purim day, to add to the communal sense of joy all people should share in on Purim. And to make sure that no one at all is left out, there is a special commandment to deliver gifts of food or money to people in need, so that they, too, can celebrate the holiday in the joy it is meant to be celebrated.
Rabbi Balkany wishes you and your family, and all people around the world, a very happy and special Purim celebration.

Purim is in the Air says Rabbi Balkany

Purim is fast approaching, due to arrive on Saturday night, February 27, and continuing throughout the day on Sunday, February 28th. As was mentioned in a previous post, the Scroll of Esther is read in the synagogue and the name of the instigator of all the trouble, Haman, is drowned out by loud noise whenever it is mentioned during the reading. But what else is done to mark Purim as a special day. Although it is not strictly a commandment to wear masks and costumes, this practice is almost universal, especially among children. It is not clear where this custom is derived from, but it is interesting to note that the character of G-d himself does not appear anywhere in the narrative of the story of Esther. It can be said that G-d has disguised himself within the story line and characters of the biblical book and is there, just hidden. Also, there is other “hiddenness” within the story of Esther. Esther herself does not reveal her national heritage as a Jewess to the King until the end, when she tells him so that her people can be saved from destruction. As a matter of fact, the name Esther itself means “hidden” in Hebrew.There is a tradition that says that when Haman lead Mordecai through the streets of Shushan on the horse, that Haman’s daughter spilled refuse on the man who she thought was Mordecai, but was really her father. A bad case of mistaken identity. It is also said that because no one knew that Mordecai knew all languages, he was able to overhear and understand the plot to kill the king, which he told to the King and which later proved to be a valuable asset when seeking favors from the King.

Rabbi Balkany says, “Adar is here so Purim can’t be far behind.”

Purim is a wonderful holiday celebrated in the month of Adar, which according to the Jewish calendar is the last month in the year. This is because the first month is considered to be Nissan, the month in which Passover falls and the month when the Jewish people became a nation, when they left Egypt during the Exodus. But enough about Passover. Let’s get back to Purim. This holiday is quite special. First of all, it commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from destruction at the hands of their enemies when they were living in exile in the Persian Empire. The entire story is recounted in the Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther) which is read aloud in synagogues throughout the world this year on Saturday night, February 27th, and again on Sunday morning, February 28th. During the reading children and adults alike go wild at the mention of the name of the story’s villain, Haman, and shout, boo, scream, whistle and shake noisemakers which are also known as grogers. As you might imagine, this custom appeals to all children (except for very young ones who might be afraid of all the noise) as well as the rowdier adults among us. It is a remarkable contrast to the usual respect and decorum shown in the synagogue the rest of the year and is only one of the ways Purim distinguishes itself as unique among Jewish holidays.

Rabbi Balkany Discusses Some Customs for Tu B'Shvat

There is a Chassidic custom to pickle candy or fruit, especially the etrog which was used during Succoth, and to eat it on Tu B’Shvat. In addition some people pray that they will merit to have a beautiful etrog when next Succoth comes around.

Rabbi Balkany often mentions trees in his speeches, such as:

"From the plains where the bison roam and where the cottonwoood stands sentinel hearkening to the lonesome cry of the meadowlark."

In Israel it is quite prevalent to go out and plant trees on Tu B’Shvat, a custom that was introduced by Rabbi Zeev Yavetz in 1890. Yavetz was one of the founders of the religious Zionist movement known as Mizvachi. In 1890 Rabbi Yavetz took his students to plant trees in the community of Zichron Yaakov, thus helping to develop the Land of Israel which was strikingly barren of trees at the time.

Since that time this practice was adopted by major Jewish organizations as a yearly event, including the Jewish National Fund. Today in Israel more than one million people, including many children, plant trees on this day to show their love for the Land of Israel and their strong desire to see it develop and blossom.

In addition, because Tu B’Shvat symbolizes renewal and the start of something new, many institutions such as Hebrew University and the Technion chose this day to hold their inauguration ceremonies.

Kabbalistic Tu B'Shvat Seder

Let us continue our discussion of Tu B’Shvat.

Customs associated with this mid-winter holiday can be derived from different sources. The custom of having a Tu B’Shvat Seder was instituted in the 16th century in Safed by the Kabbalists, especially Rabbi Yitzchak Luria. This practice is experiencing a revival now and you can join in Tu B’Shvat seders in many places, and you don’t even need to be a kabbalist to enjoy it. The basic idea is that 10 specific fruits are eaten, and four cups of wine are drunk, in a particular order. The appropriate blessings over these foods are recited, and by this practice it is believed that the world will be brought closer to spiritual perfection and redemption.

Bringing the world closer to spiritual perfection is the goal of Jewish belief and practice, as Rabbi Balkany has said, quoting from the book of Psalms,

Salvation belongs to G-d,

Your blessing be on your people.

Anticipating Tu B'Shvat with Rabbi Balkany

In New York we are now enveloped in the beauty and starkness of winter.

With the darkest time behind us, the time of Chanukah, where tiny candles chased away even the darkest night, we can now look forward to the lengthening days, the stronger sunlight and the hope in Tu B’Shvat.

The holiday of Tu B’Shvat, is the “Jewish Arbor Day” or the “New Year for the Trees.” “Tu” is the way we pronounce the Hebrew letters “tet” and “vav” together, which is the equivalent of the number 15; Shvat is the Hebrew month which can fall anywhere from mid-January to mid-February, which interestingly, is the coldest, deepest part of the winter. Nevertheless, we celebrate the coming of spring in the midst of the winter by eating dried fruit and many other interesting customs.

As Rabbi Balkany has been known to quote from Psalms:

He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water,

that brings forth its fruit in its season

Invoking the beauty and majesty of the celestial luminaries, Rabbi Milton Balkany prays that American governors will heed the will of the people since their wisdom comes from the strength of families, the foundation of our civilization.

Our Father In Heaven!

A host of lights brighten your creation: the radiant, life-sustaining sun, the luminous moon that glows at night - each beacon has its purpose and calling. We pause and give thanks to you for the brilliant radiance cast by the lamps that glowed closer to home in our state capitals. Through your providence and blessing, men and women of honor have been placed at the helm of each state, from the caverns in New Mexico through Louisiana’s mysterious bayou, across the snowy peaks of Idaho and up the dazzling heights of New York’s skyline; our governors are rudders against the tide of confusion, ever guiding us to brighter shores. For when our governors trust the wisdom of the people, they have put their faith into families, the bedrock of our civilization. We pray to you: fortify us with the strength, the will and the insight to restore the dignity of families everywhere. Oh G-d, be our beacon through the night. Help guide our ship of sound government to harbors of safety, prosperity and hope. Amen.