Feature Story and Photos By Larry H. Oskin
Rabbi Moshe, wife Chavi and their baby Mendel Dubinsky of the new South Lake Chabad Lubavitch hosted a festive outdoor Purim celebration at the Clermont Waterfront Park pavilion. Purim 2021 began on Thursday night, February 25, and continued through Friday, February 26. They also hosted a complimentary Purim Lox & Bagels Brunch on Friday with a second reading of the Megillah. These free events were open to the entire community.
Purim Unmasked: Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky opened this joyous Purim Unmasked event just after a beautiful Thursday night sunset, sharing the story of Purim with all of the families in attendance. Some of the adults and many of the children came in traditional costumes. The story of Purim is related to the biblical Book of Esther. To share the traditional rituals, the Rabbi read from the Megillah and the book of Esther. Everyone was encouraged to read along while making noises with their groggers each time the name of Haman was mentioned.
Rabbi Dubinsky’s family shared a full complement of foods and drinks including hamantaschen for dessert. Hamantaschen is viewed as a reference to Haman, the villain of Purim as described in the Book of Esther. These small tri-fold pastries symbolize the defeated enemy of the Jewish people. Everyone was encouraged to celebrate Purim with charitable giving to help others as well as by sharing foods and donations to the needy. To add to the festive night, there was Purim music, songs, and family entertainment with a magician. With over 60 people in attendance, there were plenty of families with children representing the Jewish Communities of Clermont, Minneola, Groveland, and South Lake. Groveland Mayor Evelyn Wilson and other diverse representatives from across South Lake were there.
Four Mitzvot of Purim: There are four traditional Purim Mitzvot or commandments that the Jewish people should fulfill to celebrate this holiday. The first is a reading of the Megillah, also known as the Book of Esther. The second is sending mishloach manot or gift baskets to everyone. The third is to share Seudah as a festive meal. The fourth, everyone is to share Matanot La’evyonim and tzedakah by giving to the poor.
The Story of Purim is remembered as the Feast of Lots, which is a joyous Jewish festival commemorating the survival of the Jews who in the 5th century BCE were marked for death by Haman and their Persian rulers. He shared how King Ahasuerus first had his wife Queen Vashti, executed for failing to follow his orders, so he arranged a beauty pageant to find a new queen. Esther a young Jewish woman found favor in his eyes and became the new queen, although she refused to divulge her nationality at first. Meanwhile, Haman who hated the Jews was appointed Prime Minister of the empire. Mordechai, was the leader of the Jews and Esther’s cousin, so he defied the King’s orders and refused to bow to Haman. Haman was incensed and convinced the King to issue a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews on the 13th of Adar, a date chosen by a lottery Haman made. History tells us that Mordechai galvanized all the Jews, convincing them to repent, fast, and pray. On the 13th of Adar, the Jews mobilized and killed many of their enemies. On the 14th of Adar, they rested and celebrated. In the Persian capital city of Shushan, they took one more day to finish the job. Meanwhile, Esther asked the King and Haman for a feast. At the feast, Esther revealed to the King her Jewish identity. Haman was hanged. Mordechai was appointed Prime Minister in his stead and a new decree was issued, granting the Jews freedom with the right to defend themselves against their enemies. To remember this story, Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar each year.
Rabbi Moshe Dubinsky has noted that they will be happy to accept all Jews for Chabad membership once they get established here in the South Lake area. Besides plans to hold a few traditional holiday events, they are currently looking to officially start in south Lake by this summer/ fall. Regardless of Jewish background or level of observance, they soon plan to provide a warm new Chabad community environment. While they are dedicated to the spiritual and social needs of all local Jews, they want to do so with a strong emphasis on Jewish education.
Chabad of South Lake County is a non-profit organization serving the needs of the Jewish Community at large. For more information, contact Chabad South Lake at 352-717-4119, JewishSouthLake@GMail.com and visit: https://www.facebook.com/Jewishsouthlake/.
