The Charlotte Jewish News - February 2002 - Page 20
Purim without Esther: The Story of a Disputed Casting
of Lots
A Torah Purim Spiel/Commentary
By Rahhi Jerome M. Epstein
As part of the media effort to
uncover the real story of what
happened to the ballots cast during
the 2000 Presidential election in
Florida, the United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism has been
asked to bring its expertise with
ancient Jewish texts (and its
record of never having a race for
congregation president go to a
recount) to help in this endeavor.
After an intensive study of new
documents — some from ancient
Shushan, some subpoenaed by
congressional committee — we
have been able to piece together
the whole Megillah.
It all happened in the days
of Achashverosh — that
Achashverosh who reigned over
fifty provinces from Indiana to
New Mexico. In those days, in the
eighth month of the eighth year of
his reign, the King gave a banquet
— actually a convention — in Los
Angeles, for all his ministers and
courtiers and all his donors, high
and low alike. There were lavish
parties, feasting and merrymak
ing, as the assembled multitudes
celebrated the vast riches and
prosperity of his kingdom, and the
successes of the King.
There were hangings of white
cotton and blue and red. And there
was gavel-to-gavel coverage on
TV — at least on cable.
On the third day, the King sum
moned his queen, Vashti. But she
refused to come at the king’s com
mand. The King was greatly
incensed, and his fury burned
within him. For Vashti had greater
plans for the far-flung province of
New York, and she was tired of
standing by her king. So,
Achashverosh banished Vashti,
and she became a heroine to
women all over the world.
Now, the King decided to have
a contest — not for another
Queen, but for a replacement for
himself. For he was forbidden to
reign for more than eight years.
The King and his courtiers first
considered a scholar from Rhodes
who distinguished himself in bat
tles at the Garden. But in the end.
they chose the King's closest
adviser, Alger, to succeed him.
This pleased the King, and he
acted upon it.
Alger was grateful to be cho
sen; his whole life he aspired to be
King. But he was embarrassed
about Achashverosh’s wild ban
quets and harems and concubines.
So, in choosing his own partner,
with whom he would seek to rule
the kingdom, Alger chose
Mordechai, from the men of
Lieber, a Connecticutite, an
upright man, and a pious person of
Judah.
There was a great commotion
when Mordechai was chosen.
Never before had a Jew been
selected for a position of such
high honor. “Only in Shushan,”
Mordechai said.
Being a man of faith,
Mordechai wanted to acknowl
edge God publicly with prayers of
thanksgiving. But Abraham, from
the men of Fox, reprimanded him,
reminding Mordechai that God’s
name does not appear even once
in Megillat Esther.
Although Achashverosh want
ed Alger to succeed him, there
existed a rival for the throne.
Haman, a son of Haman, was the
ruler of one of the King’s largest
provinces (and of no relation to
the evil Haman of Megillat Esther
lore). He had called for a remis
sion of taxes for the provinces,
and advanced himself higher than
any of his fellow officials. The
King had defeated Haman’s father
once before, so to make it interest
ing, Achashverosh decreed that
the next ruler would be chosen by
the casting of lots, or purim.
The King’s scribes were sum
moned and a decree was pro
claimed to the King’s satraps, to
the governors of every province,
and to the officials of every peo
ple, to every province in its own
script, and to every people in its
own language. The orders were
issued in the name of King
Achashverosh, and sealed with the
King’s signet.
A spirited contest ensued. Alger
removed his royal apparel and
donned special garb - earth tones,
and wireless hand-held devises.
Haman wore a smirk, and a spe
cial hat - a three-cornered Stetson.
And they pled their case to every
province, near and far. Mordechai
visited so many provinces, he
appeared as if he tore his clothes
and put on sackcloth and ashes.
Meanwhile, confident Alger
would win, Achashverosh ordered
his men to put up a large platform,
fifty cubits high, at the base of his
Capitol, on which Alger and
Mordechai would assume the
throne and address the people of
Shushan.
On the morning of the seventh
day of the eleventh month, the
people went to cast their lots, and
the seers and the oracles predicted
that the contest would be close.
And it was.
That very day, messengers
brought the news that the entire
election came down to one
province in the southern reach of
the kingdom. At the beginning,
Alger was slightly ahead. But
Haman’s brother, the governor of
the province, told Haman not to
woiTy. Later, Haman was slightly
ahead. Mordechai, too, assured
Alger, telling him that the
province had many of
Mordechai's brethren in its land.
Mordechai, from the men of
Lieber. called some of his brothers
and sisters there to learn the why
and wherefore of it all. But they
sounded worn and tired. “What
has befallen you, landsmen?”
Mordechai inquired. “We are
fatigued from the celebration of
Purim,” they told him. “We were
merry with wine, and danced in
condo clubhouses until dawn.”
“No, no,” he cried out loudly.
For Mordechai knew what had
happened. And he was crestfallen.
You see, his kindred people mis
took the day to cast purim, with
the day to celebrate Purim.
They had imbibed in copious
amounts of libations, and when
they cast their lots, they could not
tell the difference, between Alger
and Mordechai and Haman. These
men and women of Judah never
forgot who they were; they simply
could not tell who Alger and
Mordechai were.
And so it came to pass, that
these events were recorded in the
book of records — the Annals —
that the great stage that was put up
for Alger and Mordechai, was
used instead by Haman, son of
Haman, to assume the throne.
In view, then, of all the instruc
tions in the said letter and of what
they had experienced in that mat
ter and what had befallen them,
the Jews undertook and irrevoca
bly obligated themselves and their
descendants, and all who might
join them, to stop drinking on
Purim — not when they can no
longer tell the difference between
Mordechai and Haman, but when
ever they see a butterfly. ^
Rabbi Jerome Epstein is
Executive Vice President of the
United Synagogue of Conserv
ative Judaism. Purim, the festival,
begins February 24.
Hamantaschen
Recipe
From Out of Our Kitchen
Closets (San Francisco Gay
Jewish Cooking,
Congregation Sha’ar Zahav,
San Francisco, 1987)
Prize-Winning Hamentaschen
(This recipe won Sha’ar Zahav’s
1985 Hamentaschen Bake-Off)
Dough
1/4 lb. cream cheese
1/4 lb. butter or margarine
2-1/2 c. flour
2 well-rounded t. baking powder
1/2 c. sugar
3 T. sour cream
Juice and grated rind of one
lemon
2 eggs
Cream the butter and cream
cheese together. Add the eggs and
sugar and beat till smooth. Add the
sour cream, lemon rind and Juice.
Mix together. Gradually add the
flour and baking powder, stirring
until you have a smooth dough.
Refrigerate 3-4 hrs. or overnight
Filling
1 can poppyseed pastry filling
1 c. golden raisins
1 heaping T. honey
Put the raisins in a saucepan
and cover with water. Bring to a
boil. Drain immediately and dry
on paper towels. Mix with canned
poppyseed paste and honey for the
filling. Preheat oven to 350
degrees and rollout the dough on a
well-floured pastry cloth or pastry
board to 1/8” thick. Cut into 3”
circles. Fill with one t. of the fill
ing. Do not overfill. Bring up
edges of dough on 3 sides so they
form a triangle, or Haman’s hat.
Pinch the seams tightly together,
starting at the bottom, or the
dough will unfold and form a flat
cookie. Leave the center open,
however, to show a bit of the fill
ing. Repeat until all are made,
putting the hamentaschen on
cookie sheets as they are finished.
Brush the top with the egg glaze.
Bake for 15-20 min. or till lightly
golden in color. ^
Business Card Directory
To advertise in the Business Card Directory, cali Rita Mond at 704-366-6632,
Pam Grossman at 704-841-1544, or Debbie Duiberg at 704-846-8901.
Stanloy Faust’s
♦0RTH AMERICA
GEMOLOGICAL SERVICES _
Specializing In Insurance & Estate Appraisals
Stanley A. Faust, Graduate Gemologist (GIA)
Member of the Notional Association of Jewelry Appraise
4400 Shoron Road
Soumpark Moll ^ Phone (704) 364-3368
Charlotte. NC 28211 . Fax (704) 364-8808
Website; www.stanleyfaust.com
ErTrOil: appraisols@stanleyfaust.com
Designing, Manufacturing and Installing
Closet Systems, Entertainment Centers & Offices
Call For A FREE
Consultation!
Jack Grossman
704-892-7720
www.handsonww.com
HOMEHmCH
"AT HOME" Livii^ Assistance
Bonded & Insured
704-509-1923
Helping Seniors/
Others Live at Home
Meals, Errands
Housekeeping
Transportation
Laundry
Personal Care
New Mom Care
Small Jobs Welcome
Insured & Bonded
Total Electrical Service
Residential & Commercial
PEASLEY ELECTRIC
25 Years Experience
“We pride ourselves in quality electric service”
Our Workmanship Is Guaranteed
704-442-2872:
MARVIN L. PEASLEY Pager: 704-580-0954-
• Senior Citizen Discount •
COMPUTER LESSONS
AT HOME.'
Whether you just bought your first computer, or are a
more advanced user, enjoy personalized, affordable
computer lessons in the comfort of your own home.
Learn at your own pace, and learn only what you
want to know.
— Also computer repair and upgrades —
Call Paul Moritz at 704-542-7387
morningstor
^ mini-storoge
12 Charlotte Locations
For Information Call:
704-552-8222