Exceedingly Joyous

Have you remembered to increase your joy this month? The Talmud asks us to consider how to increase our joy (BTaanit 29a), as one of the main asks of this month. It’s a profound question, which together with the four asks of Purim (see below) makes for a rather different festival feel.

There are four Mitzvot associated with Purim:  1. Reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther)  2. Festivity and rejoicing (the Purim meal, fancy dress, drinking); special foods for Purim include Hamantaschen/Oznei Haman. 3. Sending food to friends (Mishloach Manot)  a) Mishloach Manot is fulfilled by sending two types of ready-to-eat food to at least one friend. 4.Giving gifts to the poor (Matanot La'evyonim)  

The eagle eyed will notice that there are no negative commandments for Purim. No prohibitions on working, on what we eat or wear, rather they are positive in the extreme. Drink more! Eat more! Dress up in silly costumes! 

However you choose to celebrate Purim, on Sunday we will be making Mishloach Manot for our friends at Wightman Rd Mosque, to give as small gifts, as they break the fast for Ramadan. 

Do donate any forms of small, individually wrapped vegetarian or vegan treats, whether that’s sweets, biscuits, or small apples or clementines. If you fancy baking some hamentaschen, join us as we celebrate between 3-5pm at Eden Primary school, even if you can only stay for a short while.

On 8th March, 4.45pm we have been invited by the mosque for a Community Iftar with Haringey Multifaith Forum. Please let Rabbi Sandra know if you would like to join her. 

For Matanot L’evyonim - giving aid to those in need, please do consider giving to a charity of your choice or to New Israel Fund’s Campaign to Address Humanitarian Needs in Gaza which supports both World Central Kitchen and Clean Shelter’s work to provide urgent aid to the area.

We hope to see you at any of the many events in the next few weeks.