Part of the sacrificial system was to sprinkle blood on the tip of the kohen's right ear, on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot (Ex. 29:20). The ear signified that the kohen had to hear and heed the troubles of his community, the hand that he had to give them their needs, and the foot that he had to hasten to fulfil whatever his people required.

The kohen was not only an officiant who carried out the intricate ritual. He was also a spiritual leader who built up a rapport with his community. They listened to him because he listened to them. They supported him because he supported them. They hastened to help him because he hastened to help them.

The rabbi of later ages was not automatically a kohen. Learning and not lineage was the deciding factor in his appointment. But like the kohen, the rabbi had to understand his people as they had to try to understand him. People judged their rabbi more by his deeds than his words.


SERMONS FROM STONES

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PURIM & YOM KIPPUR

Excitement and colour are the keynotes of Purim. There is nothing austere or restrained about the occasion. The celebration is visible and audible. Masks and noise makers are everywhere. The contrast with Yom Kippur is palpable. Yet, some people compare the two occasions and read the biblical name Yom Kippurim as Yom K'Purim - "a day like Purim". The idea is almost preposterous. On the one hand there is Yom Kippur where there is spirituality, honesty, truth, quietness and solitude. On the other hand Purim is a noisy popular carnival which knows nothing of the deeper questions of life and death.

Some years ago there was a public celebration of Purim at Parliament House in Melbourne where an array of politicians wore funny hats and booed Haman, quite lost in all this strange Jewish buffoonery. How can anyone compare Purim with Yom Kippur?

If you ask me which day I prefer, the answer is "both". It is fun to have a day to fantasise, when I don't see the real me, when I can pretend, act and release restraints. I also, however, need Yom Kippur, which brings me back to reality and shows that I cannot hide from other people, from God, or from myself. This week on Purim give yourself a day off, but don't overdo the masks and the music. And don't forget that Yom Kippur will be there in a few months' time.


PURIM GIVING

In contrast to Chanukah when it is customary to give gifts of money known as Chanukah gelt, the gifts we give on Purim are edible. According to the M'gillah it is a time of "sending portions to one another and gifts to the poor" - "mishlo'ach manot ish l're'ehu umattanot la'evyonim".

Significant lessons are derived from this wording. From "mishlo'ach" (sending), we learn that the gifts should be delivered by others on your behalf; money gifts in particular are usually given anonymously. This saves embarrassment - the giver does not see the neediness of a poor recipient, and the recipient does not have to be ashamed of his of her poverty.

From the plural "manot" (portions), and "mattanot" (gifts), we learn to give at least two gifts.

From "ish l're'ehu" (one to another), we learn to give to at least one other person.

From "mattanot" (gifts), we learn to give charity.

From "la'evyonim" (to the poor), we learn to give what the other needs.

An interesting comment of the Jewish law codes is, "We are not fussy about whom we give to on Purim; we give to anyone who stretches out his hand".

The edible gifts which are given - usually two kinds of food and drink - depend on local custom. There was a practice in North Africa to give sweet cakes with coloured icing depicting figures from the Book of Esther, and the gentile population called the day "the sugar feast". European communities gave Hamantaschen ("Haman pockets"; known in Hebrew as "Oznei Haman", "Haman's ears").


THE MOST GODLESS BOOK IN THE BIBLE

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For Rabbi Apple's articles on Purim

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Shabbat Shalom! Purim Same'ach!