Can you tell us the story of Purim, and why it’s celebrated?
Purim celebrates the story told in the Book of Esther, in which Esther and Mordechai save the Jews of Persia from a plot by Haman, a royal official, and Persian King Ahasuerus, who sought to destroy them. It’s a joyful holiday marked by reading the Megillah (Scroll of Esther), booing Haman’s name, giving gifts of food, charity to those in need, wearing costumes, and festive meals. This year, it takes place from sundown March 2nd-nightfall March 3rd.
Many people think Purim is just about costumes and hamantaschen. What deeper lessons can we take from it?
There is absolutely a lesson for us today. The meaning of the name Esther comes from the word for hidden. Purim is the holiday of what we call “hester panim” or literally, “the hidden face of G-d.” The book of Esther is the only book of the Hebrew Bible that does not mention G-d, so one could easily read Esther and see nothing unusual or miraculous in it. On its face, things “just happened” to work out for the Jews of Persia and G-d had no involvement. But if that were true, there would be no need for a holiday.
In reality, a careful reading of Esther reveals that much of what happens is too convenient to be left to chance. Ahasuerus “just happens to become dissatisfied with Vashti as queen. Esther “just happens” to be chosen as the new queen. Mordechai “just happens” to overhear a plot to murder the king. I could go on. Judaism does not believe in coincidence; if something “just happens” to occur, it’s because it was providentially ordained that way.
How can the lessons of Purim apply to our lives today?
We live in an era when G-d no longer takes overt action like splitting the sea or destroying the Assyrian army, but “covert” miracles do still occur, or miracles that could be passed off as natural occurrences if we choose to see them that way. That’s the message of Purim, that G-d is still involved in the world and in each of our lives. We just have to decide to see Him.
G-d’s involvement in our lives is hidden underneath the surface. The Purim custom of wearing costumes reminds us that what we see may not always be the whole picture.
Purim is our reminder that, even though we may not easily see it, G-d’s providence is still active in the world and in our lives. If something “just happens” to work out for us, whether big or small, we can choose to see it as simple coincidence or as G-d working behind the scenes in our lives.
Freilichin Purim to all!