HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein wrote a letter to the public ahead of Purim.
“To Acheinu Bnei Yisrael, shalom and much bracha,” the Rosh Yeshivah wrote. “We find in the Gemara that the month of Adar is a month of success in gashmiyus, and it becomes clear that there’s also siyata dishmaya for success in all matters of ruchniyus, because it’s a time that there’s a midas harachamim from Shamayim.”
“And therefore, everyone can understand that it’s very worthwhile to take advantage of this to increase one’s occupation with Torah and yiras Shamayim and middos tovos. We were zochech in past years that in many places they are noheig on the days of Purim to increase their occupation with Torah in the heicheli Torah and Batei Medrashos. The same should be done in every location because there truly is no heter of bittul Torah during these days, and on the contrary, the days of Purim are the appropriate time for chizuk in the occupation of Torah and are mesugal to be zocheh to esek haTorah b’ahavah, like it was in those days.”
The Rosh Yeshivah also warned the public to refrain from insulting others over Purim. “It should also be known that the days of Purim were established to increase love and brotherhood and mishloach manos one to another, and therefore one should be extremely careful during these days in matters of bein adam l’chaveiro, and chalilah, not cause pain to anyone. There’s already been known incidents of people not being careful about this and were severely punished afterward, r’l.”
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
One Response
“One should be extremely careful during these days [of purim] in matters of bein adam l’chaveiro, and chalilah, not cause pain to anyone. There’s already been known incidents of people not being careful about this and were severely punished afterward..”
I assume the Rav’s admonition applies to virtual pain inflicted through social media commentary and the Mods will be especially vigilant in their oversight during these next few days.