The Megillah Reading

B"H

For the Megillah reading (Book of Esther), I went to Chabad in Tel Aviv. Right downtown in the area of the "worst of the worst", in secular Shenkin Street. Not too long ago, Chabad opened near Shenkin a new Chabad - House and it is not easy finding people joining the Synagogue service, as people rather sit outside in the cafes on Shabbat. The cafes are packed, the Synagogue is half empty. But "le'ad le'ad" even the secular Tel Avivim get used to some Yiddishkeit around the corner and participate from time to time.

Last night, Chabad offered a Megillah reading for everyone. Throughout the entire day, they announced the Megillah time by loudspeaker in the park next to the Synagogue, and people showed up.

At least 200 people, including parents and their children, came to join. The Maariv prayer took place in the smaller room of the Synagogue. A beautiful little stage was set up. A kind of curtain looking like a shopping mall in ancient Shushan. While the parents went into the hall of the Synagogue listening to the Megiallah, the kids should stay here and watch a Purim theatre.
It is a Mitzwah to hear every word of the Megillah and Chabad wanted the small kids to be busy with something else and not bothering their parents.

It was a great idea but not always successful, as the parents were busy talking with each other. Maybe even worse then any noise of the youngsters. And already in the middle of the Megillah, some adults found the Purim presents from Chabad consisting of junk food. And when you are familiar with Israeli mentality then you are aware of what was going on. People took the junk and started crunching.

It was not a very spiritual Megillah reading I witnessed but somehow very interesting. Despite all the little disturbances around, the people made a great effort to show up at all and this is, after all, what counts.