Announcing...the answer to my riddle!

Last week, I presented you with a riddle in my post about our trip to the zoo on Shushan Purim.  This riddle generated a lot of very creative responses from my readers in the western hemisphere (should that be capitalized?)  I must admit I was disappointed from my readers here in the Middle East, as they did not participate in the fun.  At least one reader here admits she was offended by the zebra's position (she would have preferred a front view)- I apologize, and next time I will try harder to get the zebra to pose nicely!

I must admit, that this is one of those examples where you could say that the question is better than the answer.  I DO have a real answer, however, it is much less exciting and creative than some of the suggestions that were given.

In order to give you the answer, I first need to give you some background:

A while ago, I read an interesting article in the Mishpacha, about the "Living Torah Museum", started by Rabbi Shaul Shimon Deutsch.  Rabbi Deutsch's mission in founding the museum, was to display concepts mentioned in the Torah in a tangible way, making them come to life.  The museum features artifacts, real "stuffed animals", as well as diagrams and models.  (Sounds like a really nice place to visit if you're ever in Brooklyn or Lakewood).

I'm going to quote part of the article, where the answer to my riddle is found:

At this point in my tour, a school bus pulls up and deposits a group of seventh-graders from the Mirrer Yeshivah, accompanied by their rebbi. Rabbi Deutsch, clearly practiced in leading this type of group, starts right in with a splash:

“In Megillas Esther, it says Mordechai sent riders mounted on extremely swift animals — referred to as haachashtranim bnei haramachim — to tell the Jews they could defend themselves,” he tells the boys. “Does anyone know what a remach is?”

They shuffle expectantly; no one knows. “One source tells us it means zebra riders,” Rabbi Deutsch says. “Look, I just got a baby zebra. Anybody want to hold it?” He reaches up to pull a small zebra, posed in a sitting position, from a shelf. A dozen pairs of hands reach out to pet it.

“A lot of people think that zebras can’t be domesticated, but they can,” he goes on, clearly in his element. “Rothschild did it — he had a team of four zebras brought to England, and they pulled his coach.” He flicks on a monitor mounted near the ceiling, and a photo flashes of Lord Rothschild, seated regally in his carriage behind four harnessed zebras. Then he directs their attention to a nature video showing zebras leaping through the savanna, to show the boys just how fast they are.

Well, there you go!  Hope you learned something!  (You can read the full Mishpacha article here)

Shushan Purim in the Zoo!

Since the Friday after Purim was one of the rare occasions that the whole family had off (now that Bentzi started teaching he doesn't get much "בין הזמנים" anymore...), we decided to take advantage of the opportunity, and go on nice family outing to the zoo.  So as Purim drew to a close, I quickly whipped the house back into shape, set the Shabbos table, and got things ready so we could leave for the zoo in the morning. 

There was a real Purim spirit in the zoo- starting with a clown walking on stilts that greeted us at the entrance (the kids asked me, "is he a REAL clown or was he just מתחפש to a clown?!"- I explained to them that ALL clowns are really people dressed up as clowns).  They also had a "Lion" and "Tiger" near the entrance, which Yisrael and Bruria got a kick out of, but the younger kids were too scared to go near them no matter how much I coaxed or explained!

All the zoo staff were wearing headbands with animal ears.  Why, even the elephants had "face paint" (and tushy paint too)!

Now, a Purim riddle for all my dear readers.  What does this picture have to do with Megillas Esther?  Post your answers in the comments below, and stay tuned soon for the answer!

Happy Shushan Purim!

Purim Costumes!

Each year its getting harder to get all five kids together for one Purim picture...this year, I don't think I had all 5 awake in the house at one time the entire day!  With Yisrael learning in "ישיבת מרדכי הצדיק" and Bruria prancing around town delivering משלוח מנות to her friends,  and Nissim needing a nap, just getting a picture of each of them didn't prove to be such a simple feat!  (Not to mention that Mama was pre-occupied with getting ready for a Seuda which we hosted!)

B"H everyone looked adorable in their costumes.  Yisrael wanted to be the כהן גדול again (he wore the same costume last year)- he just finished learning פרשת תצוה in Cheder and was very excited to wear it.  Only problem (if you can call it that!) is that he learned the Chumash so well, that he knew all the measurements of exactly how long everything was supposed to be, exactly of what type of material, and kept on complaining about the innaccuracies in his costume.  We did make a new ציץ and מצנפת which were more authentic looking, but I put my foot down when he asked for an אבנט that was 32 אמות long!

Bruria was a כלה, and she relished the opportunity to get all dressed up and wear makeup.  She was a real beauty, and I must admit at one point when I was watching her, I had a thought that before we know it  I'll be marrying her off!  (okay, well a bit longer than that....but time really does fly!  Seems like just yesterday they were just babies!)

Azriel Shraga was  מררכי הצדיק (in the picture he's missing his beard...oh well).  He loved his costume and was especially proud of the horse and the sign that he wore which we made together.

Naftali, who is always a bit of a clown, decided to make it official and dress up as one.  Good thing I got a picture right after I did the face makeup, becuase right afterward he ate a chocolate hamantasch and got it smeared all over his face!

And Nissim was a clown too- which matches his bright, happy personality.  The ribbons in his hair drew lots of comments- they just added to his natural cuteness!  (he didn't want to keep his hat on, even just to snap a picture...oh well!)

I did not manage to snap a picture of Tatty with his hat...he picked up some strange Santa style hat with braids (not sure what it was really meant to be!)  He wore it to Cheder and his students (all Americans!) called him "Mrs. Santa".  Definitely a bit didfferent!

Enjoy!

 

How do you eat your Hamantasch?

If you have trouble viewing, click here to download the clip

(Inspired by the Reeses Pieces commercial from about 20 years ago,

not sure if they still use this idea!)

The "Queen" of all Pekelach

For days, Bruria has been talking about the משלוח מנות (AKA Pekela) she has been making in Gan.  "Its a כלה, and if you turn it, it turns into a מלכה" - I could not figure out what she meant...until she came home with this exquisite project today:

They took a formula can, glued a toilet paper tube to the top, and then decorated each side of the tube as you see above- with the nosh was all inside the can.  Bruria is so proud of her work of art (they really did most of the project themselves really excited about it, and now that the junk food is all gobbled up, she's planning on using it as a jewelry box!

!משנכנס אדר מרבים בתחפושות

Like every other year, on ראש חודש אדר, the kids come home from Gan all dressed up.  Its amazing to see all the original ideas the Gananot think of every year!   Bruria had a carnival in Gan and came home dressed up as a clown, along with a cupcake which she decorated as a clown!  Azriel Shraga came home dressed up as shepard/sheep, with "צאן קדושים" written on the back (Naftali's gan also dressed up as the same thing, but he was home sick, poor thing).  And Nissim came home dressed up as a candy, with a sweet poem about how he's the sweetest of all...

(Sorry, Yisrael..in 'כתה ב you don't get any of this fun stuff....)