Be Happy, It’s Adar! Purim is Coming!
On Purim, we celebrate the aversion of a terrible decree against the Jewish community in ancient Persia. Boo, Haman! Hurray for Mordechai! Boo, Vashti! Hooray for Esther!
Although the brave queen foiled evil Haman’s plot, King Ahashverosh’s decree to massacre the Jews could not be reversed. So he sent an edict permitting the Jews to arm themselves and lo, the Jews triumphed.
At Purim we are reminded that in every generation, the survival of our people has been threatened. Our persistence in the face of adversity has always been cause of celebration.
The Megillah tells us that instead of a massacre of Jews, Haman’s family - elders, adults, youth and babies – were slain by the tens of thousands. We were saved! But what do we make of the massive loss of life, particularly the killing of so many innocents on the other side?
The remarkable thing about Purim is that if offers its own psycho-spiritual answers to the question the story raises. And what is that? On Purim we are obligated to become so intoxicated that we can no longer differentiate between “Blessed be Mordechai,” and “Cursed be Haman.”
On Purim, we dare to find the whole notion of “us vs them”, “dog eat dog”, “winners and losers” ludicrous.
If we take seriously the Purim challenge of not taking ourselves too seriously, Purim can become for us temporary antidote to many personal and social ills. What a remarkable tradition we have inherited! Purim reminds us to dissolve the superiority complex that arises from the belief that as G-d’s chosen, we are more deserving of life and favor than other peoples.
And because Purim is so remarkable, a midrash tells us that in the Messianic Era, the only Jewish holiday that will still be celebrated aside from Shabbat, will be Purim!
This Just In…
“This year as last, our own Linda Park and the BIJ Purim players are working tirelessly on a Shpiel that will knock your Yiddish socks off – Megillah on the Roof! They also coerced the Cantor into chanting the Megillah upside-down and convinced me into reciting some poetry in a foreign language that nobody will understand. Trust me. From what I’ve seen, the Board is taking Purim very seriously this year. Already, one member who stood up at services to announce his refusal to come in costume has received a death-threat.”
May our Purim celebration this year elevate us above all of the suggering and tzuris in our lives and in our world. May it help turn all of our doubt and despair into clear vision, strength of purpose and constructive change. May it lead us to recognize that our very existence is but a gift from our Creator. This Purim, may we allow ourselves to become so drunk with love for G-d, that we forever abandon all hubris, pride, divisiveness, pettiness and ill-will!
Kayn Yehi Ratzon-So May it Be!