Responsibility

Author’s Note: This article was one of two written for the March, 2020 issue of The Scroll.

Warning: This article contains unrestricted political commentary. Reader’s discretion is advised.

Ahhh… Purim. What a great time of year. This is the time when we read the Megillah, eat, drink, dress in costumes and generally have a good time. For one day, the Jewish people have a morale boost. Especially nowadays, that is a welcome thing.

I often think about how our ways are different from those of society around us. Whenever we celebrate, we always have to take a step back and remember those of us who are less fortunate. On Purim, we have the traditional Mishloach Manot (by the way, if you haven’t gotten your order in, don’t wait. Maybe you still can by the time this is published) in which we give gifts of food to one another. Ever wonder why we do that? The Talmud tells us that the reason we give these gifts is to ensure that everyone has food to celebrate a festive meal. 

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Oy Oy Seven

Author’s Note: This article was one of two written for the March, 2020 issue of The Scroll.

Have I ever told you about the attic? When I was growing up, my mother, may she rest in peace, had hundreds of books stored in our attic. She was a veritable bookworm and she passed that wonderful quality on to me. (I am proud to say that I have passed that on to Yitzchak who also reads incessantly). I have very fond memories of going up into the attic, rummaging around in countless boxes and pulling out a gem. I would then sit in the attic under the window and read for hours. To this day I can hear my mother’s voice yelling “MENACHEM!!!” in her futile quest to find her missing son.

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