Rabbi Howard Morrison

While we Diaspora Jews celebrated Purim Thursday night-Friday, Jews who live in walled cities celebrate Purim the following day, called Shushan Purim. Given that Shuhan Purim is on Shabbat, those living in a walled city like Jerusalem read the Megillah on Thursday night and Friday like us; they recite Al Hanisim today, and they make their party and distribute Mishloach Manot tomorrow on Sunday. All of this in a walled city is called Purim Meshulash, a triple Purim spanning three days.

It is significant to address Purim this morning. While the original story is a one-time event, the same story plays out in every generation. There are always forces that seek to demonize and endanger us. Over the years, our oppressors may win battles, but every time without fail we win the wars. These words are not only mine and of Jewish history, these words appeared recently in a Times of Israel article which came out over a couple of weeks ago, by a woman named Rachel Shapiro. Her words resonated with me because both her son, my son, and many grown children of our Beth Emeth community have served in the Israel Defense Forces. A few weeks ago, a particular non-Jewish Canadian circulated a list on the internet identifying 85 Canadian citizens who served in the IDF. The anti-Semite who wrote this list reminds us of tactics used by the Nazis, who sought to isolate and mark Jews for persecution by making such lists. 

Rachel Shapiro quotes Paul Hirschorn, the consul general of Israel, who estimates that some 35,000 Israelis currently live in Canada. Given Israel's national service requirements for all citizens (Jews, Druze, Arab, and Christian Israelis alike) anyone with basic knowledge of Israel would realize that most of them would have served in the IDF unless they came to Canada as children.

As Shapiro writes, "No matter how craftily worded the article was, the author of the list's virulent intent is palpable throughout. The potential dangers of publicly posting personal information about individuals who have served in the IDF, especially in today's political climate, are obvious. Those who understand history recognize this as a scary incitement of hate and a clear attempt to violate human rights."

With Purim in mind, Shapiro writes, " the parallels between Haman's decree and this modern attempt to intimidate and expose Jewish defenders to potential harm are striking. . . . We know what to do. No matter how many haters try to take us down and make us feel demoralized, we can't let them. Anyone named on that list of Canadian Israeli soldiers should be proud. It's a badge of honor. You are the modern Maccabees, the defenders of democracy, human life, and justice. . . . Our soldiers have given us so much. . . . Would it be crazy for every Canadian-Israeli who has served in the IDF to show their pride and publicly make their own list? Demand to be added to the list of the other 85 heroes? . . . How are we protecting the 85 now that they are being unjustly targeted?  We must take action - contacting members of Parliament, engaging with government agencies, and ensuring those who spread hatred and endanger Jewish lives face real consequences?" 

I know that some members of our shul whose children's names appeared on that list of 85 have reached out. It should be more than just the parents of those whose names publicly appeared. It should be all of us, and every Canadian Jew!

In the Purim story, God turned the evil decree of Haman around so that he was the one left humiliated and destroyed. We pray that this modern injustice, right here in Canada, will be also be overturned.  May all of our hostages come home; May all our soldiers come home for good; may all citizens of Israel live without constant threat of annihilation; May Jews all over the world live with safety and peace.

Shabbat Shalom - Chag Sushan Purim Sameach,

Rabbi Howard Morrison