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Purimgifts 2023
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2023-03-05
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The Beit Midrash of Eliezer ben Nissan the Cohen

Summary:

A midrash on Hallelujah by Eliezer ben Nissan the Cohen, more commonly known as Leonard Cohen.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for other works inspired by this one.)

Work Text:

I found the following midrash in "Ha'Zofe Me'ertz Hagar", an old Jewish Hungarian periodical.  It was copied from a manuscript, which has since been lost (S. Bernat, Ha'Zofe, vol 47)

A.  Rabbi Chanina said: Esther and Song of Songs.  The books don't mention G-d.  But the Jews at the time of Shushan ignored G-d, while in Song of Songs, Israel is looking for G-d, as it says "your faith was strong but you needed proof"

Rabbi Yirmiyahu the Blacksmith said G-d is testing the believer.  As it says "She tied you to a kitchen chair etc.", and the believer withstands the test and praises God, as it says, "And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah."

Rabbi Pappa said this is G-d punishing the unbeliever, as it says "Your faith was strong but you needed proof".

Rabbi Yitzhak ben Nafcha taught:  The highest praise of G-d is asking questions.  "She broke your throne" - only a prideful man sits on his throne.  Only after removing oneself from one's throne, can you question, as it says "she drew the Hallelujah."

B. Another thing - "She broke your throne", rabbi Ilai and rabbi Chanina; Rabbi Ilai said this is the evil inclination, as it tries to prevent Man from expressing praise to G-d.  "From your lips she drew" - Man wants to praise G-d, but the evil inclination takes the words away.  Rabbi Chanina says this the good inclination, which points Man in the right direction, and takes away those things which prevent one from praising G-d.  

So Esther thought she could escape the Jews' fate in the King's house, by sitting on the throne, and Mordechai told her "Think not that thou shalt escape in the king's house"

It was only when she got off her throne, and fasted that she could talk to G-d, and have the courage to save Israel.  As it says, 'tied to a kitchen chair', preventing one from eating, 'cut your hair', disregard human vanity, and only then "drew the Hallelujah."

C. Rabbi Yochanan son of Levi says that every praise of G-d is worthy.  "It doesn't matter which you heard, the holy or the broken etc".

But the Sages say that one that comes from the broken Man is worth more.  As it says "And even though it all went wrong, I'll stand before the Lord of Song".   I and nobody else.

D. Rabbi Shimon ben Chalafta would forage capers, he would say, the angels praise G-d, and Man praise G-d, but Man's praise is worthier.  Man praises G-d in many ways.   One way is to gladden and care for others, as it says "And God created man in His own image", and that is done in Purim with "Mishloach Manot" and gifts for the poor.

And that is the 'secret chord', as it says "there was a secret chord, that David played, and it pleased the L-rd".  When is the L-rd pleased?  When people show care and compassion for others and make others glad.

That's where the midrash ends.

There is a note at the end that there is another possible mention of this midrash.  The Rishonim (rabbis of the 11th-16th centuries) discuss what is considered "Mishloach Manot".  The consensus is that it requires edible goods.  Most also agree that drinks can be included, and some say that includes also words of Torah.

Rabbi Immanel De-Rossi says that stories can also be considered a "Mishloach Manot", whether they be written or said.   He says that he saw a manuscript in the library of Parma, that said that "Mishloach Manot" is meant to gladden others, But, he says, it depends on whether those stories cause the recipient to feel gladness.  If they do, it is a worthy "Mishloach Manot"!

Purim Sameach!