We named this Shabbos (Feb 14th / Adar I 14) “Shabbat with a Little Love”. Why only a little love? And what’s up with the magnifying glasses spread over the tables tonight?
This month the Jewish and secular calendar dates line up. It’s Feb 14th and also the 14th of Adar I on the Jewish calendar. Being that this year is Jewish leap year we have two months of Adar. The real Purim is on the 14th of Adar II, while the 14th of Adar I is called Purim-Kattan or Mini-Purim. We do not read Megillah or give Mishloach Manot on Mini-Purim as we do on the real Purim one month later. But we still do some celebrating!
The message of Purim-Kattan is that we celebrate small things, we recognize and value the good things that come in small packages. Purim-Kattan magnifies (hence the magnifying glasses as table props tonight) and maximizes and appreciates that which is small and often underestimated.
In relationships often we are focus on the major things, not realizing the transformative power of small gestures, little acts of thoughtfulness and understanding. Accounting majors here know all to well the importance of a single entry or transaction. Alumnus Dan B. returned tonight for a visit, he’s now working down at IBM in Poughkeepsie, and knows quite well the value of each and every element of computer code. And alumnis Raisa T. is also visiting today, she’s finishing up her final year of Podiatry school at Temple University in Philadelphia. Most of us won’t consider a foot problem high on a list of medical issues, but when someone gets a bunion, callous or ingrown toenail – boy do they realize the impact something very small can have. The same is in Judaism! Actually, the Talmud says that “there are some Mitzvot which people tread on with their foot” (speaking of podiatry..) meaning that they take it lightly and consider them insignificant. Yet, little things do matter!
Hence – a little love! Let’s recognize that little things matter in life.
Most times when Raizy serves meatballs and spaghetti as the main course, I try to come up with a little Dvar-Torah or some kind of life-message. One year we spoke about meatballs being circular and spaghetti linear, one time it was about the ability of sauce to bring together and coalesce the meatballs and spaghetti into one dish.
Tonight the meatballs message has to do with a hidden ingredient that most people are not aware of, unless they’ve meatballs themselves: Matzah-Meal or Bread-crumbs. These tiny particles are mixed into the recipe, and they are the glue that firms up the meatball and keeps it all together. Otherwise they’ll fall apart into Sloppy-Joes. Again, it’s the little things, hidden from sight, that allow a meatball to stick together and be a meatball.
Happy Purim-Kattan! May we celebrate all things small, recognize their value and importance, and pay them heed. Whether it is a small Mitzvah or a small gesture, or a small amount of time to do something productive – don’t underestimate it! Make it count!