To see this article online, click here . Shoshanat Ya’akov : Seeing Mordechai through Rose-Colored Glasses Shoshanat Ya’akov / Tzahala Ve’Samecha / Bir’otam Yachad / Techelet Mordechai. The rose of Jacob / was cheerful and glad / when they jointly saw / Mordechai robed in royal blue. A Jewish liturgical poet ( paytan ), of unknown identity and time, wrote this line towards the end of his piyyut , Asher Heini .[1] Despite its shroud of anonymity, Asher Heini is recited in Ashkenazic communities on Purim night immediately following the after-blessing on the Megillah-reading.[2] Shoshanat Ya’akov is recited again after the daytime reading.[3] What critically important message does Shoshanat Ya’akov convey that demands such prominent placement in the Megillah-reading service? Piyyutim reinforce and elucidate lessons from Tanach and other authentic Jewish sources. The best piyyutim succinctly recast these foundational ideas by borrowing phrases, l...
Rabbi Benjy Owen, Dean, Margolin Hebrew Academy-Feinstone Yeshiva of the South, Memphis, TN