A message from Rabbi Geri Newburge

The Talmud relates that when God came to give the Torah to the Jews, they did not exactly leap at the opportunity. God then picked up the mountain, held it over their heads, and said: If you accept the Torah, all will be well and fine; but if not, here will be your burial.

The Talmudic sage Abaye commented on this story: From here we may derive clemency from the Torah (for if they were forced to accept the Torah, it was not an expression of free will, and no one can be punished for later disobeying). The Talmud continues and adds - But they subsequently accepted it at the time of Purim, as is written, "The Jews fulfilled and accepted upon themselves and upon their descendants" (Esther 9:27) - they fulfilled that which they had already accepted (that is, the Torah).  We are reminded as well that the name of God is not mentioned at all in the Book of Esther.  According to the Sages, this represents the actually legally binding acceptance of the Torah by the Jewish people, because, paradoxically, it is done without the apparent presence of God.

While one might think that using such prooftexts is a stretch, it is typical of our rabbinic sages.  These connections provided by the rabbis of the Talmud remind us of the legacy our ancestors left us, and that we continue today: that the sacred words of the Torah are ours to accept.

Please join us for all our wonderful Purim celebrations; I look forward to seeing you then!