Cyberdov

R Yitzchak Blau was the scholar-in-residence at the RJC last weekend. In discussing the idea of future generations being obligated by a covenant, one approach he identified (Ramban on Shabbat 88a) was that as long as a benefit of the covenant is enjoyed by the descendent, they remain bound to the obligations. This opens a new perspective on Purim. The gemara in Shabbat states that the Sinai covenant was forced on the people, to the extent that they had no obligation to keep it - but at the time of the Purim story, they accepted it willingly. Now, the benefit of the covenant to the Jewish people is presented as the land of Israel as a homeland. As Purim took place during the first exile, this is the first time that they lost their benefits - and therefore perhaps were no longer bound by it! The voluntary acceptance of the covenant at that time thus takes on a crucial importance, as it no longer is tied to possesion of the land.

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