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A Message from Rabbi Bellows

Rabbi Bellows

March 24, 2024/14 Adar II 5784

Dear Friends,

In Essays on Ethics, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks wrote, “Jews have known suffering, isolation, hardship, and rejection, yet they never lacked the religious courage to rejoice. A people that can know insecurity and still feel joy is one that can never be defeated, for its spirit can never be broken nor its hope destroyed.”

The holiday of Purim began Saturday, March 23, and concludes tonight, March 24. It is a time of rejoicing, giving gifts to others, remembering Esther’s bravery, and surviving the forces that sought to destroy us. Rabbi Sachs teaches that we know pain and suffering, especially this year after nearly 170 days of war, and we are also required to find reasons to rejoice. 

Today, the holiday of Purim, is one of rejoicing. Yes, we know pain and suffering, especially this year after nearly 170 days of war. I hope that today and this week especially, we might rejoice that our “spirit cannot be broken nor its hope destroyed.”  

May we each rejoice in life’s gifts we have given and received. 

Chag Purim Sameach,

Rabbi Lisa Bellows