The Percelay Museum of Temple Emanu-El, established in the early 1950s at the behest of Rabbi Eli A. Bohnen, z’’l, with the support of Emanu-El member Natalie Percelay, z’’l, houses a treasure trove of Jewish ritual objects.

A museum is not simply a venue to display interesting or visually pleasing objects. Ritual objects and artwork tell us about our history, our people, our collective past, dor l’dor. The synagogue is a Beit Knesset, a house of assembly; a Beit Midrash, a house of study; and a Beit T’fillah, a house of prayer. Our museum is a vital part in helping our synagogue to bring these visions into reality. In addition, the concept of hiddur mitzvah, “to glorify the mitzvah,” is achieved by enabling us to use the objects in the museum to “beautify the commandment,” and thus enhances our performance of the mitzvah. As a communal resource, our synagogue uses many of these ritual objects in our Jewish daily, monthly or annual observances, and in rituals of the Jewish life cycle. Contemporary, as well as more traditional examples of Judaica are scattered throughout the synagogue, as well as within the four walls of our museum. The Percelay Museum is a living entity, and its precious holdings are not mere artifacts, but vital, vibrant reminders of what was then, what is now, and what can be—as we grow from strength to strength. To schedule a visit to this jewel in Temple Emanu-El’s crown, contact the Museum Director at: museum@teprov.org.

Museum Musings

Purim 5785

Megillah Case, CCA 1940, Eretz Israel Copper and silver case by Smilovitz with inlaid semi-prescious stone.  In memory of Herman Rosen by Mrs. Rosen

"Be Happy—It’s Adar"

Why do we speak these words, when Megillat Esther is a drama of political intrigue, deception and death? Those are not happy words; to the contrary, they conjure up images of grand opera—in particular, of Tosca. So why does the Talmud proclaim: MI-she-nikhnas Adar marbim b'simhah. ("With the start of Adar, our joy greatly increases.")?

The answer (and the difference between Tosca and Esther) appears in their finales. The beautiful Tosca, enmeshed in a devious plot promulgated by a no-goodnick, hurls herself from a parapet and dies; she becomes just another tragic heroine. But, faced with an untenable situation created by another no-goodnick, Esther comes to her king with honesty, and her tale ends on a positive note. Esther unmasks the evil plot—and she lives. Moreover, her determination and candor saves the Jewish people, and Esther becomes a hero for all time. Thus, our happiness at the festival of Purim celebrates both the redemption of the Jews and the courage to tell the truth and to stand on principle.

If Adar takes on a festive atmosphere, this is not because of the Talmudic declaration marbim b'simhah. Many cultures have similar festivals that turn religion on its head. Merriment, masquerade and costumes abound.

In The Encyclopedia of Jewish Symbols, Frankel and Teutsch comment that these times of societal "inversion" provide psychological release from the confusing strictures of traditional law and custom. In the Jewish calendar, Purim (which commemorates the victory of the Jews over the Persian villain, Haman) serves this function. We dress in costume, we whirl groggers to drown out Haman's name, we shout and holler during the reading of Megillat Esther, and we hold a carnival. Our joy is supposed to grow every day and carry us all the way to Pesah (in order to link the redemption of Purim to the redemption of Pesah—which again carries us through the year and back again to Purim.

Occasionally, a "Little Purim" (Purim Katan) was observed to commemorate a community's deliverance from danger. Mishnah B'ruah 688.6 teaches that, "the townspeople of a particular locale can enact for themselves and charge those who come after them to observe a Purim, on the date they experienced a miracle."

So, in spite of the evil political machinations found in Tosca and Megillat Esther, tragedy was averted for both Esther and her people. The wicked Haman reaped the rotten fruits of his malevolence. Adar is indeed a time to be happy. Megillat Esther teaches us that "right over might" rules the day.

--Ruth Page, Museum Director

Contributions to the museum are a special way to remember those you wish to honor on memorialize. Send your donations to the synagogue, Attention: Museum

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