In the entire Megillas Esther (story of Purim) the name of HaShem does not appear even once.  The entire chain of events that occurred can seem to be a natural sequence of events (particularly if you bear in mind that the story spans over a decade).  Yet through all that the Hand of HaShem guided the events and brought them to their glorious close.  Salvation for the Jews! Let us have faith and trust in HaShem that even when things seem bleak and we do not see His Providence, know that He is still running all and everything will turn out for the best.

In this week’s Parsha Aron the Cohen Gadol (High Priest) was commanded regarding the clothing he must wear while performing the service in the Bais Hamikdash (Holy Temple).  The command draws to a close with Moshe being told that if Aron wears the correct garments he will not die when he leaves.  The basic understanding of this is that when he leaves the Temple he will not have been deserving of death because he followed the commandments correctly.  The Chofetz Chaim learns something slightly different.  When the time comes for us to leave this world there will be an evaluation as to how well we have followed the commandments that HaShem commanded us.  If we have followed them appropriately than even when we leave this world we will not have died.  Rather we will live on for all eternity drawing immense pleasure from being near HaShem.  Let us all attempt to behave correctly and thereby earn our place near G-d for eternal life.

We have a fast to commemorate the fast of the Jews prior to the war of Purim.  We can learn from this a very important lesson.  Anytime we are in trouble (either as a nation or even an individual) we should take upon ourselves to improve our relationship with HaShem and follow the mitzvos better.  Although fasting may be obligatory at times the main purpose of the fast is to better ourselves and not just to skip a few meals.  Let us take the initiative today and draw close to HaShem.

In the Shma prayer we read the commandment to love HaShem.  It reads “You shall love HaShem your G-d with all your heart, soul, and strength” The next posuk tells us “and these words that I have commanded you shall be on hearts and your souls”.  This double commandment is because the first one is not as direct and one can fulfill it “from the side” also the distance between the mind and the heart can at times be further than the distance between heaven and earth.

When HaShem told Moshe to take the Bnei Yisroel out of Egypt, Moshe asked what he should tell them.  He asked HaShem by what name should he refer to Him?  HaShem answered him and told him to call Him by a Name that means “I will be”. This is the Name that represents Teshuva (repentance, returning to and becoming close to HaShem).  HaShem was telling Moshe to lead the Jews to repent and through that merit they will deserve to be redeemed.  Let us all try to be as close to HaShem as we can, and through that merit we shall earn our own redemption.

In our prayers we say everyday, in reference to G-d:  “For Your salvation we hope all day”  How can we dare make such a bold statement.  All day we are occupied with our everyday affairs and are not constantly hoping for HaShem’s deliverance!  It can be compared to a mother who puts her baby in a crib and goes about her household chores.  While she is not constantly thinking about her child, the thought hovers just below her conscious mind, the slightest movement or noise brings it to the forefront.  So too we although we are not always with the thought in mind, the slightest hope or hint of redemption/salvation brings it to the forefront of our mind as well.

In this weeks Parsha the command and instructions to build the Mishkan (portable Temple in the Desert) were given.  It is pointed out that this occured after the giving of the Torah.  A number of things are said about this.  At the giving of the Torah the Jews all exclaimed, “we will do and we will hear”.  This absolute self-negation before G-d was the medium through which we were able to merit having HaShem’s presence dwell amongst us.  This is a requirement for becoming close to G-d humbling ourselves before Him.  Let us each attempt to make HaShem’s wish our own and fulfill all His commands.

It is worthwhile to bear in mind that after we die and enter the next world all will become clear.  Besides for all the reward and punishment that we will receive we will also have clarity as to what we did in our life.  The regret we have for not having done the mitzva, or for committing the aveira will remain with us for eternity.  The satisfaction of having done the correct thing will be with us for all time as well.  Let us bear in mind the next time we are faced with a choice that although pain or pleasure on this world is temporal, the consequences of our actions will remain with us forever.

The posuk tells us to “be holy, for I HaShem am holy”.  This has been compared to a child of a wealthy family.  This child will have the necessary finances, because he part of this family with the fortune.  So too we, we are children of HaShem and He is so holy that we all can “tap into” His holiness and imbue ourselves with it.  The instructions how to do so HaShem has told us, follow His Torah.

The posuk commands us:  “You shall love HaShem your G-d”.  There are two reasons why an item may become hot.  Either because it has it’s own source of heat, or because it was near something that is hot.  When it becomes hot by virtue of being near a hot item, if it is moved away it cools down.  That is not the case when it is hot on it’s own it will remain hot.  A person can have his own love of HaShem or he may reflect the love of HaShem that is sensed from the people around him. Then if he leaves them the love that he has felt may cool down.  That is why we are commanded in the singular that we shall love HaShem each of us with a love from within not from without.  (Although, the love from without can develop into a love from within)