The drama, the fear and the redemption we experienced in the Purim story, is not as astounding as the open miracles revealed to us during our redemption from Egypt.
There are really just a few players in the Purim story; King Achashvairosh, Queen Vashti, Haman, Mordechai and Esther. In fact, it appears to have been an internal power struggle within Achashvairosh’s regime. Of course it affected the entire Jewish people who were faced with the threat of extinction.
Haman was given the right to draw up the documents calling for the genocide of the Jews on the 11th of Nissan. He called for their murder to take place on the 13th of Adar, which was eleven months later. In fact, four short days later he was already hanged!
Even after Haman was killed, the decree of genocide remained in force; however, there was an addendum to the decree which allowed the Jews to defend themselves, which ultimately saved them.
The events and the story of Purim was written in a scroll and was added to our holy scriptures. It states in the Megilla that all the happenings were also documented in the Persian government’s historical archives.
What makes this holiday so special and dear to us that we celebrate it even though there were no open miracles?
An answer offered is that specifically because the Purim story unfolded in an unsensational way, it stands out for us. The Purim story is the classic example of how a Jew should view any event that transpires.
The Persian version of the story of the Purim drama is just a series of random events – the ups and downs, power struggles, the decrees and fates that could occur in almost any governmental administration.
However, the Jew does not have randomness or chance in his lexicon or belief system, and sees things differently.
A Jew realizes that there was a reason they were threatened with annihilation. Through Mordechai’s Divine inspiration he was privy to the fact that G-d was upset with the Jews because they patronized Achashvairosh’s party whose purpose was to negate Jeremiah’s prophesy that the second Temple of the Jews would be rebuilt, for according to Achashvairosh’s calculation, the time predicted for its rebuilding had expired. The Jews’ participation in this celebration was a grave affront to G-d and His Vision.
G-d was upset, yet in His compassion, He orchestrated that the Jewess Esther be chosen as queen so that in the event that the Jews repent, Esther would be strategically in place to affect their deliverance. G-d then sent the hateful Haman and by threatening the lives of the Jews, he motivated them to repent of their sin, and as a result they merited salvation.
Purim is celebrated so excitedly because we are able to see G-d’s love and care for us at a time that others see only an ordinary occurrence.
The Purim event came during the period the Jews were exiled from Israel following the destruction of the First Temple when the Jews felt that G-d had abandon them and they felt no longer worthy of G-d’s benevolence. When they merited salvation, they felt G-d’s warm kiss and embrace despite the fact that there were no sensational miracles. In fact, ever since Purim occurred G-d always operated with us in a veiled way, yet he is always very much present.
The Megilla relates that the Jews were so touched by G-d’s love and care even under such circumstances, that they renewed their commitment to G-d, His Torah and Mitzvos to such an extent, that they exceeded their commitment made at Mount Sinai.
The very fact that we are still in existence is one of the greatest miracles of survival. We recognize it and thank G-d each day in our prayers for all the miracles He performs for us each and every day.
Just as the rest of the world views the Purim story as random, so too, many people view our existence as a fluke of nature. Just as there always were many ‘Hamans’ out there who wished to suppress and negate our existence, there are still some that act out and follow Haman’s initiative to annihilate us.
The Megilla, which was written prophetically, states that Purim will always be celebrated and never be forgotten. We are all living testimony to this awesome miracle!
Over the past twenty-three years, I’ve had the privilege to dispense Torah ideas through publishing the Shabbat Shalom Message. This week we complete our twenty-third cycle of messages!
I consider it an enormous merit and responsibility to provide and share Torah ideas, information and inspiration to the many readers of varied backgrounds of Judaism. Torah is unique and beautiful because it is so multi-faceted. Every Jew can relate to and appreciate a Torah idea or concept on their own level.
My heartfelt thanks to my wife Malki for all her encouragement and support; and to the editors, Rabbi Shmuel Flam and Mrs. Madeleine Jacobs for their superb job!
To the readership; thank you for your comments, encouragement, critique and support. It is so greatly appreciated!
Thank you Hashem for everything!
Dovid
Purim and its significance
Wednesday night February 28th & Thursday March 1st
Achashvairosh
The events of Purim occurred while the world was ruled by King Achashvairosh of the Persian Empire. At this time the Jews were exiled from Israel as a result of the Babylonian conquest of the Land and the destruction of their Temple in Jerusalem. The Prophet Jeremiah had prophesied that the Jews would return to Israel after 70 years of exile. The question at hand was when did the 70 years begin? King Achashvairosh was convinced that 70 years had lapsed and the Jews were no longer worthy of rebuilding their Temple. Achashvairosh therefore hosted an extravagant party for 180 days for all the dignitaries of his empire during which he displayed the confiscated artifacts of the Temple. Unfortunately, Jews also participated in this party. This was a blatant offense to G-d, and He decided to bring a threat against the Jews that would initiate a nationwide repentance.
Queen Vashti
During the party, the king, quite inebriated, summoned Queen Vashti to publically appear in the nude. Vashti would have obeyed; however, she developed a polyp on her back that looked like a tail. Instead of stating the reason for her non compliance to the king’s wishes, Vashti sent a humiliating message to the king, thus causing him public embarrassment.
The king sought the advice of his advisors and it was decided through Haman’s suggestion that Vashti be executed. A while later a massive search began for a suitable wife for the king.
Queen Esther
Esther, a Jewish girl, had been orphaned and raised by her cousin Mordechai. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, the great assembly of Rabbis, Mordechai also held a respectable position in the king’s Parliament. Esther was totally not interested in becoming the queen and was taken against her will and presented before the king. The king was enamored by Esther’s goodness and chose her as queen. Mordechai, seeing the absurdity of Esther’s appointment understood that the Divine Will was at play and that Esther, in her role as queen, would be of benefit to the Jewish people. Mordechai therefore asked Esther not to reveal her Jewish identity. The suspense was great, the king tried many ploys to force her to reveal her identity, but she faithfully kept it concealed. Esther secretly remained devout to her religion throughout, (Kosher and Shabbat observance) and never initiated an intimate relationship with the king.
Haman the Wicked
The king’s most powerful officer was Haman. Haman, who was arrogant, demanded that everyone bow down to him. However Mordechai the Jew, refused to acknowledge Haman. This infuriated Haman. He decided to take revenge, not only on Mordechai, but on the entire Jewish nation. The date for this act was decided by the casting of lots. The dreadful day picked was the 13th day of Adar. Haman manipulated the king to give his approval of the genocide. The official documents were sent out to all of the 127 provinces that the 13th of Adar be set aside for the annihilation of the Jewish nation.
Esther’s Plan
Mordechai sent a message to Esther informing her about Haman’s decree. He asked if she would intercede on behalf of her people, Even though the king had not called for her, Esther decided to approach him uninvited, an act which could mean immediate execution. Esther told Mordechai to have all the Jews (including herself) fast and pray for 3 days on her behalf. Then, Esther went before the king, who miraculously welcomed her and asked her what it was that she wanted. Esther’s request was that the king and Haman attend a party that she had prepared. Only then would she tell the King of her request. At the party, Esther’s only request was that the king and Haman attend yet another party the following day. Esther’s intent was to provoke the king’s jealousy of Haman.
The Sleepless Night
That night the king couldn’t sleep. He dreamed of a coup d’etat with Haman as the leader. He asked for his book of deeds to be read to him. Perhaps he had overlooked rewarding a loyal citizen for some great deed. His reader opened to the section which related that Mordechai had previously saved the king’s life. He had reported on two foreigners, Bigsan and Seresh, who had plotted to poison the king. Mordechai had never been rewarded. Achashvairosh wondered what honor would be befitting someone who had saved the king.
Wrong Place at the Wrong Time
At that moment Haman entered the courtyard. He intended to tell the king of a plan he had to hang Mordechai, The king asked Haman how best to honor a person deserving of the king’s honor. Haman said to himself, “Who would the king want to honor more than me?” Therefore he said, “Have the person clothed with the king’s robes and crown and have him ride on a horse once used by the king, led by a nobleman calling out, “This is what is done to the man whom the king wishes to honor.” The king then ordered Haman to do all that he described for Mordechai the Jew.
Haman’s Defeat
Haman did exactly what he was commanded to do. He returned home totally humiliated. He was then called to the party that Esther had prepared for him and the king. At the party the king pressed Esther to reveal her request. Esther then took the opportunity to reveal her Jewish identity and pleaded on behalf of her people who were faced with the threat of annihilation. The king was furious. He asked her who was behind such a plan. She replied. “Haman the wicked”. The king ordered Haman to be hanged on the same gallows that Haman had originally prepared for Mordechai.
Mordechai’s Rise to Power
The king gave all the power and prestige of Haman to Esther who in turn gave it to Mordechai. Mordechai and Esther pleaded with the king to annul the original decree that called for the annihilation of the Jewish people. The king did not annul the first decree, but issued a counter edict giving the Jews the right to defend themselves. On the 13th and 14th of Adar the Jewish people successfully defended themselves and won a great victory over their opponents. Darius, the son of Esther and Achashvairosh, later became king and granted the Jews permission to rebuild the holy Temple in Jerusalem.
The Celebration of Purim
Purim is a joyous Holiday because of the great miracles that occurred. Our Rabbis therefore instituted the Holiday of Purim on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar, the day that the Jews celebrated their victory.
Observing Purim* Listening to the Megilla, read from a scroll (by night and by day).* The prayer of “Al Hanissim” is added to our prayers and Grace after Meals.* Sending varieties of food to one another (by day).* Giving charity to the needy (by day).* Having a festive meal, at which one traditionally partakes in some wine in the spirit of the holiday (by day).
This all serves to strengthen the sense of caring, friendship and unity between fellow Jews.
Megilla
The Megilla is read on Wednesday night February 28th and once again, Thursday March 1st , during the day. All are obligated to hear the Megilla reading. It is customary to make noise whenever Haman’s name is mentioned in the Megilla, as a symbol of our derision of him.
The Fast of Esther – Wednesday February 28th
The Fast of Esther is when we recall how Esther instructed Mordechai to gather the Jews and have them pray and fast for three days so that she would be successful in her mission of approaching the king in order that he annul the decree of genocide against the Jews. We fast on the 13th of Adar, the date that was originally set by Haman to wipe out the Jews.
The fast begins Wednesday morning at 5:27 a.m. and ends at 6:34 p.m. (times calculated for the Scranton and Abington areas)
Purim Glossary
Purim – means lots, referring to the lots that Haman drew.
Hamantashen – symbol of the three cornered hats that Haman and his militia used to wear.
Masquerade – the miracle of Purim came in a hidden way. Wearing of masks or getting dressed up is symbolic of the hidden miracles.
Achashvairosh calls for Queen Vashti to be on Display
Our sages tell us that Achashvairosh’s party was celebrating the Jews not returning to the Land of Israel.
To mark this occasion, Achashvairosh displayed the confiscated holy vessels of the Temple in Jerusalem.
When the Jews ignored Mordechai the Sage’s decree of not attending the feast, G-d became upset because in essence the Jews were celebrating their disinterest in the rebuilding of His Temple. G-d decided to bring a threat to their lives, in the guise of the wicked Haman that would shake them up to repent and commit themselves once again to the Almighty.
Let’s focus on the feast King Achashveirosh hosted. At first, the king entertained the dignitaries from all over his vast kingdom for 180 consecutive days of lavish feasts. Immediately after the feasts commenced, he hosted a party for those close to him in the Capitol City of Shushan, primarily the Jews, for a seven-day period.
Achashvairosh wished to entice the Jews to indulge in immoral behavior by serving them alcoholic beverages. He planned this party for seven days so that they sin on each day of the week.
On the seventh day of the party, which our sages tell us was Shabbos, the king ordered his beautiful Queen Vashti to appear while only wearing her crown, naked. The queen flatly refused the king’s wishes and degraded him as well. The king, who was drunk at the time, convened his advisors and it was decided that the queen be sentenced to death. On the seventh day – Shabbos the queen was killed.
Our sages ask, “Is there any significance of the queen being killed on Shabbos?” The answer given is, “Yes. Vashti in her extreme hatred toward the Jews, ordered Jewish maidservants to work for her on the Shabbos and humiliated them as well, by making them work in the nude, no less. For that reason, G-d caused her demise to be on the Shabbos and her death be connected with her refusal to appear nude at the party.”
A commentator points out the following stunning idea: Achashvairosh wished to demoralize the Jews for seven straight days. He deliberately caused them to sin because he knew that sin makes one unworthy of G-d’s favor.
For six days the king’s officers and dignitaries were busy persuading and enticing the Jews to party and indulge. Then carme Shabbos. The king, wishing that the Jews fall into the abyss of sin on their holy day, with no ability to return, he called for the queen to come out in the nude to cause an extreme atmosphere of immorality. She refused, and all havoc broke loose. The focus at the feast turned to the palace scandal, rather than the Jews. The Jews were spared from sinning on the Shabbos. The holy day of Shabbos, which is invested with tremendous levels of sanctity is what protected the Jews from the point of no return.
The word the Torah/Ten Commandments uses for observing the Shabbos is, Shamor – observe. The word Shamor can also mean watch. Aside from the observance that is required on the Shabbos, we see from the story of Purim that the Shabbos itself watches over us and presents opportunities that beckon us to add and absorb the true and authentic sanctity of Shabbos into our lives.
It’s There, We Just Have To Look For It
The Megilla of Esther is the only book of our Scriptures in which there is no outright mention of G-d’s name. One of the reasons offered for this omission is that throughout the events of Purim, G-d’s Presence was not openly visible. Only when looking back at the story is the Divine intervention clear and the Hand of G-d ever present. The events of Purim testify that G-d lovingly cares and watches over us, and spares us from destruction – in a rather seemingly hidden and veiled manner. It is up to each and every one of us to seek out and recognize the Divine Hand in all happenings – It’s always there!
Wishing you a most joyous Purim!
Rabbi Dovid and Malki Saks and Family
Jewish Heritage Connection
601 Jefferson Avenue
Scranton, PA 18510
