May 12, 2008 Chosen Words: A newsletter for personal and spiritual growth gleaned from classic biblical and other sources that will help you enhance your day to day life. Likely the most constructive three minutes you will spend today Mark Steyn: Israel's 'doom' could also be Europe's JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: When Faith Meets Fate, Part One May 9, 2008 Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski: Reverence, Yes; Worship, No Mona Charen: Did Israel Drive Out the Arabs 60 Years Ago? JWisdom: Ultimate opportunities by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky May 8, 2008 Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo: Israel at 3,500+ Jonathan Tobin: Still Fighting the Same War Steven Plaut: How ‘nakba’ proves the fiction of a Palestinian Nation JWisdom: Taking Israel for Granted? by Rabbi Mordechai Becher May 7, 2008 Rabbi Hillel Goldberg: Israel is irrelevant to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict Dion Nissenbaum: Latest Olmert scandal could derail efforts to force Israel's compromises JWisdom: My Inner Ventriloquist by Sara Yoheved Rigler May 6, 2008 Caroline B. Glick: Anti-Zionism at 60 The Kosher Gourmet By Ethel G. Hofman: In honor of Israel's 60th anniversary, the former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with a smorgasbord featuring the taste and essence of the Jewish homeland JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: Jewish Deer in Nazi Headlights May 5, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Busy work Jonathan Mark: Remarkable half-century old Mike Wallace interview with Abba Eban puts current anti-Israel sentiment into perspective May 2, 2008 Rabbi Berel Wein: Rote religiosity Caroline B. Glick: Whitewashing Hamas JWisdom: Parent trap? May 1, 2008 David Zwiebel: Faith communities can learn from Orthodox Jews in stimulating private philanthropy for religious education George Friedman and Peter Zeihan of Stratfor: The Shift Toward an Israeli-Syrian Agreement JWisdom: It's time to wake up by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis April 30, 2008 Jonathan Tobin: Pennsylvania's Democratic slugfest may leave some Jewish votes up for grabs The Kosher Gourmet by Linda Gassenheimer: Fresh herbs, sauteed veal and tiny creamer potatoes makes a light spring dinner JWisdom: How to Build a Mentch by Rabbi Mordechai Becher April 29, 2008 Daniel Pipes: Barack Obama's Muslim Childhood Joel Brinkley: On human rights, the U.N. once again strikes out JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: When The Truth is Unbelievable April 28, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Q: I'm often stuck in the doctor's waiting room for hours! Doesn't he owe me something for my wasted time? Steven Emerson: New U.S. government policy advises agencies to avoid using some of the very same words that make up terror groups' names JWisdom: Why You & I Never Die: A Jewish View of Immortality, Part I by Rabbi David Aaron April 25, 2008 Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg: Schadenfreude isn't kosher for Passover --- or at any other time Rabbi Berel Wein: The secret of how the data bank of memory is transferred from one generation to the next JWisdom: Stepping Up to A Higher Spiritual Life by Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen, Part III April 24, 2008 Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo: The successful failure Fred Burton and Scott Stewart of Stratfor: Placing the terrorist threat to the food supply in perspective JWisdom: Stepping Up to A Higher Spiritual Life by Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen, Part II April 23, 2008 Connie Ogle: An intricate game of a novel Jonathan Tobin: Making Sense of the 'J Street' Jive JWisdom: Stepping Up to A Higher Spiritual Life by Rabbi Lawrence Kelemen April 22, 2008 Jonathan Rosenblum: Why Israel's 'Leaven law' matters Caroline B. Glick: Obama the Savior April 18, 2008 Rabbi Harvey Belovski: Multimedia tool of antiquity Caroline B. Glick: Revealed Truths vs. revealed lies JWisdom: More than miracles by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky April 17, 2008 Rabbi Avi Shafran: Deconstructing Dayeinu Rabbi Elazar Meisels: Is innovation at the Seder a slap at tradition? JWisdom: Discovering Your Divine Mission, Part III by Rabbi David Aaron April 16, 2008 Jonathan Tobin: A Prayer for Sderot's Children Ethel G. Hofman: Sumptuous Seder JWisdom: The Divine is in the details by Rabbi Mordechai Becher April 15, 2008 Rabbi Dovid Zauderer: Let Charlton Heston Go! Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Jimma, tyranny's enabler JWisdom: Relationships: Beyond Mars & Venus, Part IV by Dr. Lisa Aiken April 14, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: The Snitching Supervisor Jonathan Tobin: Forget the Fun and Games! JWisdom: Sincerity is Valued Most by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D. April 11, 2008 Rabbi David Gutterman: A Mystery in the Middle East Caroline B. Glick: Why Ahmadinejad smiles JWisdom: Elevated illness by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky April 10, 2008 Stratfor Intelligence Briefing by George Friedman: A Mystery in the Middle East The Kosher Gourmet By Steve Petusevsky: The spring elegance of asparagus JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith by Rabbi Nosson Scherman: The Power of Rational Lies April 9, 2008 Michael Feldberg: An all but forgotten Colonial doctor who put his Jewish values before his life Jordan "Gorf" Gorfinkel's "Everything's Relative" gets philosophical JWisdom: Four Rabbis in Bnei Brak by Rabbi Mordechai Becher April 8, 2008 Caroline Glick: Covering for the enemy Elliot B. Gertel: 'House' goes Hasidic JWisdom: Relationships: Beyond Mars & Venus, Part III by Dr. Lisa Aiken April 7, 2008 The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Q: I have a translating business. Recently someone asked me to translate some financial documents that are clearly forged. Should I agree? Jonathan Rosenblum : Israel is unwittingly helping to fuel the international campaign of delegitimization against it JWisdom: Matzah and leaven as a life philosophy by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D. April 4, 2008 Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski: The Mystery of Suffering Caroline B. Glick: Fear of democracy JWisdom: Dirty Jews by Rabbi Sroy Levitansky April 3, 2008 Rabbi Y. Y. Rubinstein: Parents --- and the children who would be them The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Manweiler: Tempted by restaurant dressings? Don't be. Here are recipes that can be made at home, healthier! JWisdom: The importance of retaining a 'slave mentality' by Rabbi Mordechai Becher April 2, 2008 Mitch Albom: Child abuse, disguised as faith Jonathan Tobin: Unreasonable Accommodations JWisdom: Holocaust in the Perspective of Faith with Rabbi Nosson Scherman: Eliminating Jewish Influence over Germans March 22, 2007 J-Rhythms with Avraham Rosenblum: JWR's cutting-edge music program showcasing performers -- singers, song writers, musicians, and bands -- who learn and live the Torah lifestyle (OUR NEWEST IGODCAST !) Oct. 29, 2003 Mortimer B. Zuckerman: Graffiti On History's Walls (MUST-READ!)

Jewish World Review March 24, 2005 / 13 Adar II, 5765 Of Miracles and Nature By Rabbi Elkanah Schwartz Some answers focusing on the Purim miracle and other ‘natural events’ http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | Fundamental to Jewish belief is recognition of Divine control of the universe. There are no accidents. Everything — literally everything — is so because the Almighty makes it so. The concept of hashgachah peratis (specific supervision) refers to the control of the Divine Being over everything that is and everything that occurs. In fact, this belief is the first of Maimonides' Thirteen Principles of Faith: "I firmly believe that the Creator, Blessed is His name, is the Creator and Ruler of all created beings, and that He alone has made, does make, and ever will make all things." Divine control, however, functions in two patterns, teva, nature, and neis, — miracle. "Nature" means that the Almighty moves everything within an identifiable and predictable order; we describe as "natural" those events that occur by Divine control within this order. "Miracle" means "unnatural" — something which, while occurring through Divine control, does not fall within any identifiable or predictable order. Miracles, too, function in two patterns: in one, the neis niglah, Divine control is revealed, and the miracle is recognized as such; in the other, the neis nistar, Divine control is hidden, and the miracle is made to appear as a natural occurrence. The miracle of Chanukah was through the first pattern; the miracle of Purim, through the second. While the miracle of Chanukah was obvious — a one-day supply of oil burned for eight days — the miracle of Purim was not. The entire Book of Esther reveals nothing miraculous: a pleasant story, of almost fairy-tale outline, telling of a wicked man's downfall, and the triumph of the hero and heroine. The Rabbis of the Talmud discuss this, reporting that the Book of Esther, which does not mention even once the name of the Almighty, is a case of a miracle camouflaged to appear as a natural occurrence. NATURE OF HIDDENNESS One might wonder whether any natural-appearing event is really a camouflaged miracle. If so, is one required to make a holiday for every joyful event, since one cannot always know whether, like Purim, it is a miracle in disguise? Perhaps so — were it not for our Rabbis who revealed the miraculous nature of the Purim events, thereby teaching faith in the Almighty, to recognize that He is truly directing the circumstances surrounding individual and collective lives along patterns destined for their benefit, though one may not at the time be aware of it — just as Mordechai, Esther, and the other Jews of the time were initially not aware of the miraculous nature of the "natural-appearing'' events of their time. Now that Purim has been identified as a miracle, it is to be treated as such. Many a disguised miracle may be taking place at any time, but we do not treat them as such since they have not been identified. The unique standing of Purim as a hidden miracle later revealed, is identified in the Talmud (Chullin 139b): "Where is Esther indicated in the Torah? In the verse, For I will surely hide (astir) my face (Deut 31:18)." Rather than merely developing a play on words (Esther/astir) the Rabbis of the Talmud were teaching "Where is it indicated in the Torah that there can be a miracle in disguise? — in the verse wherein the Almighty tells Moses that He will always guide the Jews through all the tribulations that may befall them except that His hand may not be revealed in the process; that He will never forsake His children, though they may not always be conscious of His presence; that 'Hester Panim,' literally 'Hidden Face,' is also a process of Divine Guidance." In fact, Sforno comments on that verse: "Wherever the Jews may be, My Divine Presence will be hidden within them." Truly, how can the continued existence of the Jewish people throughout these milliennia of galus (exile) and persecution be explained, other than to recognize the Divine Presence within Jewry, even if it be hidden from them? UNIVERSAL SIGNIFICANCE As is well known the miracle of Purim took place outside the Holy Land, in contrast to the miracle of Chanukah, which occurred in Jerusalem. Purim is the reassurance to the Jewish People that they will never succumb, even amid the worst offensives by the nations of the world — on their own terrain. And while Purim was not the only time that the Almighty helped His children through difficulties by natural-appearing methods, Purim is the only such event whose identity was revealed to give Jews an annual reassurance of the Divine Presence behind the Hester Panim (the "Hidden Face"). That is why the Purim celebration goes beyond celebrating the miracle of Mordechai and Esther, just as Mordechai and Esther willed to the Jewish People that it go beyond that. It must enter the realm of year-round service to the Almighty, to seek greater grasp and deeper understanding of faith in the Almighty. Purim occurs exactly one month before Passover . The miracles of Passover are recounted for us: in the Torah, in the Haggadah, and every day in our prayers when we speak of remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt. The miracles of Passover occurred not only before the eyes of the Jews but before the eyes of all the world, who recognized the miracles as such: "The peoples have heard, they tremble: pangs have taken hold on the inhabitants of Philistia. Then were the chiefs of Edom frightened; the Mighty men of Moab, trembling takes hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan are melted away. Terror and dread falls upon them; by the greatness of Your arm they are as still as a stone" (Exodus 15:14-16). The miracle of Purim might have slipped by as another of many events where good triumphed over evil, had not the secret been revealed. The reason — to remind us of that important aspect of our faith: the "Hidden Face" of the Almighty, which functions not only on Purim, but eternally. UNIQUE, YET ORDINARY Small wonder, then, that the fulfillment of Purim is through acts which appear ordinary, but when understood within the above context become extraordinary. Consider, first, the reading of the Book of Esther: Every Sabbath and Yom Tov morning, and every fast day following the reading of the Torah at the afternoon Minchah prayers, a selection from the Prophets is read with blessings. Every Tishah B'Av evening, the entire Book of Lammentations is read without the preface of a blessing. Thus, the essential practice of reading Scripture publicly is not unique to Purim, but Purim is the only time one must both read Scripture (other than the Pentateuch) from a parchment scroll and recite blessings over the reading. Then, comes a second mitzvah (religious duty) of Purim, mishlo'ach manos, sending food packages to a friend; and a third mitzvah, matanos la'evyonim, gifts to the poor; and a fourth mitzvah, seudas Purim, the festive meal. None of these is unique as are blowing the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, handling the lulav and esrog on Succos, or eating marror (bitter herbs) and charoses (the food used to signify the mortar) on Passover. There are other times during the year when we read from the Scriptures; when we send gifts to friends and to the poor; and when we enjoy a hearty meal. But then, if Purim is a celebration of a miracle disguised as a natural event, then the fulfillment of Purim should also appear as something natural, although in reality it is not. One must be aware, while listening to the reading of the Book of Esther, sending food packages to friends, giving gifts to the poor, or enjoying a festive meal, that all may appear "natural" — but in reality are not. Instead, one must be mindful of loftier meanings. It is simpler to be reminded of faith when doing something exotic; it is more difficult to be so reminded when we are doing something ordinary. But then, once reminded, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. In a very special way then, Purim is an annual reminder of the very special way the Almighty takes care of His children: He is always there, even when they do not realize it. Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes uplifting articles. Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here. Rabbi Elkanah Schwartz is the spiritual leader of Congregation Kol Israel in Brooklyn, N.Y. Comment by clicking here. © 2005, Agudath Israel of America