Purim begins Saturday evening and two local synagogues have services and celebrations planned. Purim is the chance to hamantashen, dress in fun costumes and spread cheer.
Rabbi Chaim Grossbaum from Chabad at Stony Brook sent us this message to share on Purim:
It’s Purim again. The Megillah, the charity, the hamantash, The gragger, and the mask.
If you are not dressing up for Purim, surely your children are. But have you ever wondered why we dress up on Purim?
As a good Jew, I’ll answer it with another question.
Ever wonder why G-d’s name is not mentioned in the Megillah? After all, it’s G-d’s miracle we are celebrating throughout the entire scroll.
My friends, omitting G-d’s name was not an oversight. Omitting G-d’s name IS the Purim message. Its intention is to magnify G-d’s indistinct handing of the circumstances; being masked by the daily life of the time. This is actually the Purim message. What we might call ‘circumstances’ is G-d’s wonders hidden in natural settings.
It’s a message worth living with all year long. Whether it’s G-d or relationships with any other.
Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Don’t judge wine by its bottle.
Don’t judge the sun by the cloud that conceals it.
Don’t judge life by the details that may confuse it.
Don’t judge the child by his mask.
Yet interestingly enough when one peels off the mask he finds another mask beneath it and then another and another…
Hopefully, as life matures, we find that we have been shaving off masks rather than placing new ones. When you’ve peeled off the last mask you will know. For then not only will you shine but all others and the world around you will shine too.
Happy Purim and Shabbat Shalom.
L’Chaim.
Rabbi Chaim Grossbaum
Below are Purim celebrations hosted by local temples:
Purim in the Stadium
Where: The Bates House, 1 Bates Road, East Setauket
When: Sunday, Feb. 24 from 3 to 5 p.m., Megillah reading promptly at 4 p.m.
What: Dress up as a true fan or favorite athlete. Hosted by Chabad at Stony Brook.
Purimspiel and Service
Where: Temple Isaiah
When: Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.
What: This year's themes are hats and weather. Wear a crazy hat or dress as a ski bunny, a ray of sunhine, etc.
Remember to share your Purim costume and party picture on Patch! Upload them to our photo gallery here.
