In a few short hours, another grave will be filled in our Shiloh Cemetery.  Less than a week ago, we buried a man who had lived over one hundred years.  Today, at high noon, we will bury a fair-haired teenager, Yonatan Eldar, HaYa"D, May his blood be avenged.

It's Rosh Chodesh Adar Sheini, the second, "leap year" Adar.  It's also the last day of Adar Alef, the first Adar.  Will his yartzeit on non-leap years be the first or last day of the month of Adar?

HAMELECH-- The King

Chazal, our sages, discuss/ask why G-d's name isn't mentioned in the Megilat Ester.  Hester Panim, His face is hidden.  I compare that to the sun on a cloudy or storm day.  The sun is in its correct place in the sky.  It is bright and warm and radiating, just like on a "perfect laundry day."  Chazal's answer is that every time we read "hamelech," "the king," it means G-d, since there is no name attached, and the "article the" means something very specific.  There is only one king who doesn't need a name, the King.

And in today's world, when the media, and even my blogs, discuss elections, such as for the American presidency, it's important to remember to add the adjective "American" or the specific name.  Here in Israel, "the president" must mean the Israeli one.  Whoever lives in the White House isn't the Israeli president.

And the only king for us is

Hamelech, HaKodesh Baruch Hu, Our G-d.

HaMakom Y'Nachem to the bereaved

Refuah Shleimah to the injured