Beth El of Lancaster
(717) 581-7891
office@tbelancaster.org
MENUMENU
  • Welcome
    • About Temple Beth El

      • Welcome!
      • Re-Opening Guidelines
      • Membership
      • Mission, Vision & History
      • Our Facility
      • Bulletin
      • Our Holocaust Torah
    • Leadership & Staff

      • Meet Cantor Chesler
        • Cantors Corner
  • Service & Community
    • SERVICE & COMMUNITY

      • Committees
      • Sisterhood
      • Men’s Club
      • Youth Group (USY/Kadima)
      • Chesed Committee
      • Community Events
  • Worship & Torah Explorer
    • Shabbat & Holidays

      • Torah Explorer
      • Worship at Temple Beth El
      • Religious Services
      • Candlelighting Times
      • High Holiday Services
      • Members Only
  • Learning at TBE
    • LIFE LONG LEARNING

      • Temple Beth El Religious School
      • Adult Education
      • Beth Pomerantz Education Series
  • Support Us
    • SUPPORT US

      • Opportunities For Giving
      • Temple Beth El Lancaster Secure Payment & Donation Page
      • Membership
      • Endowment/Fund for the Future
  • Judaica Shop
  • Contact Us
    • CONTACT US

      • Contact Us
      • Locate Us and Directions

Torah Thoughts: Purim 5782

Posted on March 16, 2022

You Can’t Please Everyone

By Rabbi Rami Pavolotzky

This week we celebrate Purim, so I would like to say a few words about it. 

One of the most important laws of Purim is the reading of the Megillah, the Scroll of Esther. Thinking about the main characters of the book, Mordechai appears like a beloved leader. He is the savior of the Jews, a pious and righteous man, a model to be imitated. We wonder, who wouldn’t love Mordechai? Who wouldn’t like to be like him?

In the last verse of the Megillah, however, it says: “And Mordechai the Jew was second-in-command to King Achashverosh… and pleasing to most of his brothers” (Esther 10:3). 

Most? Why not all? Didn’t Mordechai just save the entire Jewish people? How could anyone NOT like Mordechai? The medieval commentator Ibn Ezra (1089-1167, Spain, one of the most distinguished Jewish biblical commentators and philosophers of the Middle Ages) explains, “For there is no ability in man to please everyone, for the jealousy of the brethren.” 

Therefore, the Megillah is teaching us an important lesson here: You can’t be loved by everyone! There’s always going to be someone who finds fault with you, no matter how hard you try to avoid it. Even “the nicest guy on the block” will have people who get annoyed by him or are jealous of him/her sometimes. In other words, you can’t please everyone, no matter how hard you try. 

We have to try to be good people, friendly, caring, and welcoming, helping others whenever we can. At the same time, it is important to realize that ultimately, winning people over is simply out of our hands. 

Don’t expect to always be appreciated, that is simply not possible. Do your best without expecting total recognition. It is a simple tip that can save us a lot of anguish! Very timely for Purim, when we are expected to be happy! 

Happy Purim!

Rami 

« Torah Thoughts: Parashat Vayikra 5782
Torah Thoughts: Parashat Shmini 5782 »

Service Times – In Person & Online

Friday Evening: 7:30 pm Saturday Morning: 10:00 am Sunday Minyan: 9:00 am

VISITORS & GUESTS
Due to the COVID - 19 Pandemic, the building is re-opening with strict guidelines.(CLICK ON LINK BELOW) We are still holding online services. If you wish to attend an online service you will need to contact the Office by email at office@tbelancaster.org at least 24 hours in advance for instructions. You will need to pre register to receive ZOOM sign in information. READ OUR COVID RE-OPENING GUIDELINES HERE!

Temple Business Hours

Monday: Office closed Tuesday: Office 11 - 5 Wednesday: Office 11 - 5 Thursday: Office 11 - 5 Friday: Office 11 - 2

Quick Links

  • United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
  • United Synagogue Youth (USY)
  • JCAL – Jewish Community Alliance of Lancaster
  • Jewish Family Services of Lancaster
  • PJ Library of Lancaster
  • Silver Academy, Harrisburg PA
  • Women’s League for Conservative Judaism
  • Mercaz USA: The Zionist Organization of the Conservative Movement

Archives

  • Contact Us
  • Locate Us and Directions
© Temple Beth El Lancaster