Purim is the festival which commemorates the breathtaking Jewish victory over the murderous designs of Haman. It is a story of great courage and self-sacrifice, first and foremost by Queen Esther and Mordechai, and ultimately by the whole Jewish nation. This joyous festival reveals the hidden hand of G-d in the event of man.
Haman, who descended from the Jew-hating tribe of Amalek, devised a scheme to solve the Jewish problem once and for all by annihilating every Jew.
Modechai, a descendant of King Saul and advisor to King Achashverosh, sensed the danger. He called for his niece, Queen Esther, and told her that she must go to the king and plead for her people. Haman was defeated and the Jewish people were saved. They celebrated the holiday of Purim
Lesson from Mordechai
Our Sages say that the miracle of Purim, which rescinded the Heavenly decree for the Jews from death to life, physically and spiritually, was brought about by the fact that Mordechai had gathered 22,000 Jewish children, to whom he taught the Torah and with whom he prayed for G-ds mercy. He imbued them with the spirit of self-sacrifice so that they declared unanimously, In life or in death we will not part from Mordechai!
Let us remember that Mordechai was one of the heads of the Sanhedrin, the greatest Jew of his time in scholarship, piety and all possible attributes of greatness. Nevertheless, he set everything aside in order to strengthen the foundations of education, actually going in person to teach the holy Torah with piety and mesiras nefesh (self sacrifice) for the sake of G-d to small children.
The profound message for us is this: No matter what ones station in life, or how important ones activities seem to be, one must, first and foremost, dedicate at least some part of his time and efforts to the most important of all causessaving our young generation through implanting into them devotion to all that has been holy to us ever since our ancestors received the Torah at Mount Sinai, devotion to the point of self-sacrifice. Only in this way can we make sure that the young generation will remain with us, and, as a matter of course, ensure the existence of our people. Moreover, herein lies our strength against all Hamans, and our security under
G-ds protection.
Lesson from Esther
During Purim, one of its highlights is the reading of the Megillah in the evening and in the morning. It is noteworthy and significant that althoughas the Megillah tells usboth Mordechai and Esther were instrumental in bringing about the miracle of Purim and saving our people, the Megillah is not named after both of them jointly, nor after Esther and Mordechai in that order, but solely after Esther. Here is a pointedly emphatic message for every Jewish woman about her unique role in Jewish life.
To be sure, no one can compare to the stature of Queen Esther, but it does emphasize the extraordinary potential of every loyal Jewish daughter to shape the future of her family, with far-reaching consequences for the environment and even for the entire Jewish people.
What We Do On Purim
Listen to the Megillah
To relive the miraculous events of Purim, we listen to the reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther) on Wednesday night, March 7 and again on Thursday, March 8 during the day. When Hamans name is mentioned, we twirl graggers and stamp our feet to drown out his evil name. Tell the children Purim is the only time when its a mitzvah to make noise!
Send Gifts of Food
On Purim we emphasize the importance of Jewish unity and friendship by sending gifts of food to friends. Send a gift of at least two kinds of ready-to-eat foods to at least one friend on Thursday, March 8.
Give Gifts to the Needy
On Purim it is a special mitzvah to remember the poor. Give charity to at least two, but preferably more, needy individuals.
Eat the Festive Meal
As on all festivals, we celebrate Purim with a special festive meal on Thursday, March 8 when family and friends gather together to rejoice in the Purim spirit.
Message of Purim
Each year, when we celebrate Purim, the miracles are remembered and reenacted in our lives. May this most joyous of Jewish festivals bring joy to you and all your loved ones.
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Rabbi David Laine is the director of Chabad vocational schools.
