Purim Rhyme 5762
by Scott A. Gurdin, Rabbi

Good evening
Shalom
It's so good that you're here
As rejoicing commences
a few points
to make clear

I do hope that right now
you will pause
for short time
I've some brief things to tell you
and I'll do it in rhyme...

Just some short explanations
For sure, no big deal
'Bout tonight's celebration
Comfortable you should feel.

You see...
On Purim
many rules
that on other days
absolutely apply
we dispense with
and toss them out window to fly

Most times in this sanctuary
when we gather to pray
on the best of behavior
temple rules we obey

No shouting, or screaming
or fooling around
no cheering or booing
no inappropriate sound

But on Purim -
yes just once every year
we relax all the rules
lots of noise without fear

And that's why we have
our graggers
so to make
a most loud clickety clacking
decorum doth take a break

The gragger
noisemaker
we use now to drown out
the name of the bad guy
with nary a shout

Yes this evening,
each time when his name
it is said
With your graggers
make a big sound that would waken...
...Well, 'nuf said.

Perhaps just to practice,
shall we give it a whirl
I'll say the man's name
Then your graggers please twirl...

Haman

Very good
I'm so glad that such noise
you could make
Now, please do me a favor
graggers down,
take short break.

[PAUSE]

Now,
most times
when in temple
nice clothes we do wear
so to show some respect
demonstrate that we care

But, as I look out this evening,
I see right away,
that costumes you're wearing
as if to perform in a play

I suspect that the outfits
you've put on tonight
from the great Purim story
characters
what a sight.

If you're wearing a costume of Queen Esther right now,
would you please just stand up,
and take a quick bow.

Any Mordechai's, or Vashti's
Achashveros, might there be?
Or perhaps your that bad dude,
Please stand up let us see.

The costumes are great,
We're so glad that you've worn
And you really never know
Perhaps tonight
Star is born

A big hand let us give
to mention and say
we think what your wearing
is a maahvelous way...

....To celebrate Purim
to get in the spirit,
for telling the story,
soon we'll listen and hear it

(APPLAUSE)

Now, very often
when we're here
and we gather indeed
From the Ark
we remove
Torah take
for to read

Each Torah is written in magnificent scrolls
that are wound up and fastened
to two separate poles

These poles, or etzeem,
as in Hebrew we say
make Torah's look quite distinctive
recognized right away.

Well, on Purim,
might surprise you,
Torah we do not read
but instead from this single scrolled text
yes, indeed.

It's called a Megillah,
Purim's tale it does tell
There's laughter,
confusion
and some bad stuff as well.

In the end though,
with joy
it's the good that wins out
Esther's bravery
Modechai's boldness
For them cheer and shout

In Megillah,
we read 'bout the bad man
as well,
his fate, most unpleasant,
as the story does tell.

It's great, that each year
we repeat and do hear
of good over evil
victory over fear

[PAUSE]

Before this bad rhyme
doth wind up and conclude
one more fun Purim custom
confectionary interlude

Yes, when our fun in this sanctuary
ends for the night,
before your departure
to make sure all is right...

You'll no doubt eat a cookie
a wonderful treat
inside sticky and gooey
'tis not something neat

A three sided munchie
inside jelly, or monn
For to eat them,
delicious
and a whole lot of fun

They're called Hammentaschen
which means "Haman's Ears"
For by eating the bad man,
we make fun of our fears

Hammentaschen are reminders
of a villain so bad
who resolved to destroy us
with all that he had

But in the end,
he failed big time
and still to this day,
We eat hammentaschen,
as if to say...

... Jew haters mean nothing
their memories, we blot out
We even mock them with cookies
Something clever,
think about.

Well, this rhyme's end soon draws near,
but for sure never fear
Our fun for this night on it goes
Purim Spiel soon to see
joyous laughter sure to be

Happy Purim from our heads to our toes!!