JEWISH HOME LA

Dear readers,

Imagine what it would be like if by the click of a button you could spring into someone else and see things from their perspective: their upbringing, their reality, their disappointments, their successes. I imagine the world would be a lot more of a peaceful place where benefit of the doubt reigned and judging others would be scarce.

Indeed, the Baal HaTanya explains that the reason Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest navi of all time, was also the humblest person is because of his greatness. He simply felt that if someone else were to have his qualities, they would do a better job.

Even though we can’t actually enter other people’s realities, we can and must contemplate them. One of the classes I listened to before getting married was about how we need to turn our experiences and feelings into a tool of understanding how others feel—do a complete 180 with our otherwise raw, natural and self centered emotions.

One thing anti-Semites unintentionally got right is that all Jews are Jews. Whether we express it all day, some of the day, only in shul, or only at work, a Jew is a Jew is a Jew. Strip away the outside, and inside we will always find a pumping Yiddishe hartz full of faith and positivity.

In the story of Purim, the Yidden could have converted throughout the year and they would be spared the looming war on Yud Gimmel Adar, but not one did so. It was therefore a complete miracle, for the entire Jewish nation.

May the unity and joy of Adar & Purim bring abundant brachos for all those in need, and may we very soon celebrate with the entire Jewish people, indeed the entire world, with the coming of Mashiach!

Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos and most freilichen Purim,

Shalom