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The Half Shekel And Purim
"This they shall give... a half shekel of the sacred shekel." Exodus
30:13
When Moses received the command to build the Tabernacle, he was told that the Israelites were to make a compulsory
gift of a half shekel. There were actually two such gifts. One was a one-time contribution
of silver for the sockets upon which the walls of the Tabernacle rested. The other half shekel was an annual
contribution to cover the cost of all communal offerings. The annual half shekel was collected during the month of Adar
(just before the Passover), so that the funds would be ready when the new year of sacrifices begins. The chapter
about the half shekel is read in synagogues on the Shabbat before the begining of that month, in order to remind the people
to prepare for the offerings, as was done in the old days. In addition, on Purim, we actually contribute a half shekel
in remembrance of the miracle of Purim.
Purim And Wealth
In the book of Esther we read that the wicked Haman offered King Ahasueros an impressive ten thousand
silver blocks to influence the king to grant him permission to destroy the entire Jewish nation. However, Haman's efforts
were nullified by Yahveh, via the mandatory annual half shekel Temple offerings, during the month of Adar. How
did these donation preempt Haman's offer? Rabbi David Siegel explains that the annual donation demonstrated the
Jewish people's proper understanding of the power of wealth. They allocated their wealth
to the most worthy of causes and eagerly donated ten thousand blocks of silver to YHVH's service annually. Their Biblical
approach to wealth and its positive values protected them from Haman's financial influence on the king. Because they
understood and used wealth properly they were protected from the evil affects of the misuse of wealth. This is the lesson
of the mandatory 'half shekel'.
Just as the Jews at the time of Purim were saved from Haman's financial influence by the half shekel, so too
today Israel will be saved from the Arab world's misuse of wealth.
The use of our wealth in the right way works wonders!
Purim, Vashti And Israel
What does Queen Vashti have in common with the people of Israel?
The story of Vashti in the book of Esther reflects YHVH's utter disappointment with the people of Israel for
not returning to the land of Israel after the seventy year exile, to fulfill their divine purpose to become His 'model'
nation.
"Vashti was called to come to the King and show
all the nations her beauty... but she did not come as the King commanded, and he became very angry." Esther
1:9-12
Was not Vashti's behavior similar to that of Israel? Was not the King's conclusion
similar to YHVH's? If the queen, who was supposed to be an example to the women in her kingdom, did not obey
her husband, what could be expected from the others? And if Israel, who was destined to be a 'Light to the nations' will
not respond to the Divine Call, what could YHVH expect from other nations?
Who is the Real King in the book of Esther? The word "HaMelech" - "The King" in the book of Esther, without the
name "Ahasuerus" after it, refers to YHVH and not to the earthly king, Ahasuerus.
Israel is often compared to YHVH's wife. (Hosea 2:4,16-18, Zech 1:1-3) Haman's petition to Ahasuerus
to destroy Israel echos a similar complaint that Yahveh has against His own nation.
"There is a certain nation scattered among the nations whose laws are
different than any other nation, but the laws of The King they do not keep, and it is not worthwhile
for The King to leave them be." Esther 3:8
Haman's accusation is similar to YHVH's threat in the book of Deuteronomy to destroy the nation
of Israel for not keeping His laws. (Deut 32:26) After all, what purpose is there for
Yahveh to keep His people if they refuse to obey Him and fulfill their divine calling?
Don't be like Queen Vashti ~ "Come and let us return unto
Yahveh." Hosea 6:1
Esau, Amalek And Haman
Who was Haman, and why must we blot out his name?
"YHVH said to Moses: Write this remembrance in the book, that I will surely erase
the memory of Amalek from under the heavens." Exodus 17:14
"Remember what Amalek did
to you as you were leaving Egypt. He happened upon you, and struck the weakest people trailing behind, when you were
exhausted. And he did not fear Yahveh." Deuteronomy 25:17-18
Amalek, the personification
of evil, claims that Yahveh does not exist and that everything happens by chance.
Haman was an Amalekite ~ a descendent of Agag, king of Amalek (Esther 3:1) and
Amalek was a descendent of Esau. Amalek tried to destroy YHVH's people, Israel, the descendents of
Jacob. In Exodus 17:8 we read how Amalek attacked Israel out of pure hatred and without cause
~Amalek lived in a distant land and was under no imminent threat.
Haman's desire to wipe out the Jewish people was an expression of Amalek's long standing national tradition.
The conflict between Esau and Jacob was much deeper than just a "sibling rivalry". Esau (Amalek) and
Israel stand at two opposite ends of the moral and spiritual spectrum.
"Amalek did not fear
Yahveh." Deuteronomy 25:18 Amalek's entire philosophy was that everything happens by chance, and that
there is no design or providence in the world.
On the other hand, Jacob (Israel) and his descendents followed
Yahveh, Torah and morality and believed the world has purpose and meaning, and every individual is created in the
image of Elohim.
While Jacob believed that Yahveh runs the world and there is an absolute standard
of morality, Esau believed that life is random and morality is therefore subjective. Esau's hatred of
the message of Torah actually formed the basis of all anti Semitism. Just as Israel stood for the principle
of caring for the vulnerable and weak, Amalek opposed it, "attacking the weakest people trailing behind."
Deuteronomy 25:18
We need to recognize the enemy and fight him, not because we enjoy war, but because
part of being a "good and godly person" is to actively seek and destroy evil.
There are evil forces
actively working to eliminate Yahveh's Truth and consciousness from the world. To counter this evil,
we must "erase the memory of Amalek from under the heavens." Exodus 17:14 How do we
do it? By calling it what it is -- evil -- and dealing with it as bluntly as it would deal with
us.
Amalek Today
We can gauge the extent of Amalek's encroachment
in our own lives by measuring our faith in Yahveh Yashua. One of Amalek's battle tactics is to create doubt about
YHVH's presence in our lives and circumstances, in an attempt to confuse and ultimately destroy us.
The Torah
says: "Amalek battled Israel in Refidim." Exodus 17:8 As long as Israel was diligent
to follow Yahveh, Amalek had no dominion over them, but as soon as they became lax, they encountered danger.
"When Moses raised his hand, Israel was stronger and when Moses lowered his hand, Amalek was stronger."
Exodus 17:11
Moses' raised hands represent raising our eyes heavenward - remaining commited
to Yahveh and His Word. When Moses' hands were lowered ~ indicating a turning away from Yahveh
~ Amalek automatically won.
The way to counteract Amalek's influence in our life is simple: We must be spiritually
strong by keeping our focus on YHVH. We cannot afford to become lax. The battle with Amalek is continuous and "in
every generation." (Exodus 17:16) It will not be over until the name of Amalek is blotted
out entirely.
Let us renew our commitment to Yahveh and the Torah ~ His Eternal Word ~ as
a way to battle the evil of Amalek.
The Month Of Adar ~ Power To Succeed
Adar is characterized by joy because it is the month of transforming dread into joy. Adar
was the month that Haman selected for grief and mourning, but for the past 2,400 years it has instead been a time of rejoicing
and celebration for Jews everywhere. In 1991, when Saddam Hussein tried to rain missiles down on Israel, he was defeated on
Purim day.
The Jewish month of Adar inspires us to succeed against an opposing force, both
on a national level and on an individual level. If you look inside yourself and recognize your worst enemy -- whether it is
anger, confusion, pride, or jealousy -- this is the month in which you may conquer it. When you see Yahveh's hand in your
life and realize how He gives you the potential to defeat your enemies, then you have discovered the source of life's greatest
joy.
This Adar, may you be inspired to conquer your enemies -- from afar or from deep inside
you.
Purim And Giving Gifts
"They were to observe them as days of feasting and gladness and for sending delicacies
to one another and gifts to the poor." Esther 9:22
On Purim we are told to read the Book of Esther and celebrate and publicize the great miracles that
occurred to YHVH's people with great joy. Additionally, we are commanded to send
food to a friend, and gifts of charity. Acts of friendship are great all year long. What, however, is the connection between
these acts and the holiday of Purim?
Ahasueros could not sleep one night and asked his advisors to read to him from his Book of Memories. They
read that Mordechai saved the king's life and was never rewarded. At that moment Haman 'happened' to enter the king's courtyard
to speak about hanging Mordechai on the gallows.
Ahasueros asked Haman how the king should show his appreciation to a man deserving of honor. Haman said to
himself, "Who would the king want to honor more than me?" It is amazing that it never entered Haman's mind that the
king might want to honor someone other than him! We can see from this story how a man can become so self-absorbed that he
is totally oblivious to anything else in the world.
Now we can have a better understanding of these two 'gift giving' commandments. A person might be so absorbed
in our own lives that we forget everything and everyone else. Therefore, we must learn to be sensitive to other people's needs,
and not be like Haman on Purim day. Hopefully, this great idea of seeing beyond one's self could spill over to the rest
of the year.
The Month Of Adar ~ Victory Time
"The Joy of Yahveh is your strength."
Every Jewish month has its unique spiritual meaning. The month of
Adar is the month of "Victory" ~ it is "Conquer your enemies" month.
When the month of Adar arrives, we increase our joy. Adar is the last of the months on the Jewish calendar, and represents "happy ending" and completion.
Now is the best time to remove our personal barriers to holiness. By removing those
barriers, we gain the potential for the greatest joy. The Rabbis tell us that the spirit of
prophecy can only come to someone who is filled with Joy. Jeremiah, Samuel, King David and others were not moping around in
a bad mood when they received Prophecy. Some of the prophets even used music to express their joy in delivering
prophecy.
True happiness is not achieved by satisfying our physical desires, as the body would have
us think. Just as the prophet uses music to prepare himself to receive a Word from Yahveh, true Joy and Happiness come through fixing
all our thoughts on spiritual matters.
Appreciating Life
Joy is not merely an end in itself, rather, it is our tool for higher spiritual
strength. A person who experiences true joy ~ the Joy of Yahveh ~ is lifted above the mundane,
and is able to see the world in a more elevated way. Joy is increased when we focus on our blessings. Depression is increased
when we focus on what we lack. We have the power to choose between the two.
Choose Life, abundant Life, through Messiah Yashua.
Hiding Behind The Curtains Of History
The Book of Esther is the only book in the Bible which does not mention Yahveh Elohim
(God). For 3,000 years of Biblical history, Yahveh faithfully spoke to His people, appeared to them in dreams, worked great
miracles for them, revealed Himself at Mount Sinai, sent His prophets with messages... Suddenly, a story without
Him? Or is it!
The Book of Esther takes place sixty years after the destruction of the First Temple
in Jerusalem. With the destruction of the Temple, the Divine Presence went into
a state of hiddenness. The Rabbis called it 'hester panim', meaning the 'hidden face' of
Yahveh. From this root word (Hester) came the name Esther. Megillat Esther, the Scroll of Esther,
can as well be named "the Scroll of Hiddenness."
When someone is hiding behind a curtain, he is still there but we can't see
him. Nevertheless, certain signs, such as a bulge in the curtain, may hint at his whereabouts. The Book of Esther is full
of 'signs', such as the right person 'happening' to be in the right place at the right time, dramatic and unexpected
reversals of fortune, etc. These are the 'bulges in the curtains' that hint at the Divine orchestration of events. A
witness can choose to attribute such happenings to 'chance' or to The Almighty.
Our challenge is to find Yahveh hiding behind the curtains of history, to identify His
Divine Hand behind current events, and to recognize His direction in the seemingly 'accidental' events in our
own lives.
Approved By Most
"For Mordechai was approved by most of his brethren. He sought the good of
his people and spoke in peace to all their descendants." Esther 10:3
Mordechai, who saved the Jewish people from total annihilation, won the approval of only
most of his brethren. Most, but not all.
Some people need to be liked by everyone. If one person out of several hundred does not approve
of them, they are devastated. They are likely to become 'people pleasers' - going out of their way to obtain universal approval.
People who feel secure about themselves believe that they are generally likable and do not
feel threatened if one or more people do not like them. They realize that some personalities are simply incompatible with
certain other personalities.
Mordechai sought everyone's welfare and spoke peacefully to all, but he was not perturbed that
he did not achieve universal approval. If some did not approve of him, that was their problem, not his.
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