To My Dear Students,
We are about to celebrate the miracle of our survival at Purim time.

People ask why G-d does not perform miracles as He did in the days of the Bible.  The answer is that He does, but we do not have the insight to see them as miracles.

An Israeli General asked a Rabbi, "Against such great odds as we face, how will we ever win this war?"  The Rabbi answered, "By one of two means:  either in a natural way or by a miracle."  The General asked, "For Israel to be victorious, what would constitute a miracle?"  The Rabbi answered, "To win in a natural way."  The General pressed on:  "And what would be a natural way for Israel to win?"  The Rabbi concluded, "To win by a miracle."

A man watched a surgeon prepare for a complex operation.  As he went through the laborious preparations, he seemed confident but a bit tense.  Asked if he was ready, he answered, "Almost."  He bowed his head for a moment.  Then, calm and relaxed, he led the way into the operating room.  During the operation, his hand never faltered.  "Afterwards," the man said, "I told the doctor I was surprised by his praying before he went in.  I thought that a surgeon relied solely on his own ability."  "I feel so close to G-d when I am operating that I do not know where my skill leaves off and His miracles begin."

The events and experiences of today are no different than those declared to be miracles by our ancestors.  The difference between us and them is that we have forgotten we are entitled to call them miracles.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Purim Sameach!

Your Rabbi