Some thoughts on Purim

Since Purim is fast approaching (sundown on Friday, March 21), I'd like to share some thoughts about this holiday.

Purim is a holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people in the city of Susa in the days of King Ahashuaras (Xerxes) from the massacre that was planned by Haman. It occurs on the 13th of Adar, (March 22 this year) which is the date that Haman chose for the destruction of the Jews by casting lots (purim). Thanks to the courage of Mordechai and his cousin Esther, the Jewish people were saved from the massacre and turned the tables on their enemies.

In synagogues throughout the world, Jews will read from the Megillah (Scroll) of Esther and have carnivals and act out the story of Esther and there will be much merrymaking. An ancient tradition suggests that people should drink lots of wine. So much in fact that they cannot distinguish between the righteous Mordechai and the wicked Haman. This is not to say that drunkenness is encouraged on a regular basis, just that the people should feel free to rejoice (wine makes the heart glad) and be glad that they were delivered even when God seemed to be hidden. The Name of God does not appear in the book of Esther-I believer the only book in Scripture where this is so. And the Hebrew name for Esther is Hadassah (meaning hidden).

Purim is a joyous holiday with feasting and merrymaking and dressing up in costumes and playing music. A fruit filled pastry called hamentashen (Haman's hat because it has 3 corners) is eaten at this time as well. Those who are interested in observing this Biblical holiday and having a good time are encouraged to contact their local synagogues.

Children are encouraged to participate in the reading of the story by using noisemakers-called graggers-whenever the name of Haman is mentioned. Haman is a descendant of Amalek and God told us He will wipe out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Exodus 17:14. Also we are to blot out the memory of Amalek. Deut 25:19. When we drown out Haman's name we are symbolically wiping out his memory and the memory of his ancestor, Amalek.

While it is good and proper to celebrate this holiday and have a good time and drown out the memory of Amalek with graggers and to have stories and songs and food, it is also appropriate to reflect on other messages found in the Book of Esther.

1. Vashti She is often given a bad rap for not obeying the king's command. Getting thrown out of the kingdom is what she deserved. However, perhaps there is another way to view Vashti. King Ahashuaras made a great feast and at the end, he summoned Vashti to appear before him and his court wearing the royal crown. The rabbis point out that the text specifically mentions only the royal crown suggesting that Vashti was supposed to wear ONLY the royal crown. She was to be paraded naked before the king and his drunken friends as an object of lust. Vashti had too much self respect to do that. She refused to come to the king. The king consulted his advisors and their advice is an expected response. If we let Vashti get away with this, all women will despise their husbands. There will be no end of disrespect and discord. Esther 1:17, 18. Vashti, even though deposed, kept her honor.

2. Group hatred The kind of thinking that the king's advisors displayed, applying a specific behavior of one person to an entire group is repeated in the story when Haman brings his complaint about Mordechai to the king. Mordechai refused to kneel down or pay honor to Haman. As a Jew, Mordechai would only recognize God as the only one to whom it is proper to bow down and pay homage to. Haman was enraged but when he went to the king, Haman didn't specifically mention Mordechai but talks about Mordechai's people, the Jews. We see how one incident leads to unfair generalizations against a group of people. It's not enough for Haman to destroy Mordechai, Haman wants to destroy all of Mordechai's people. To King Ahashuaras' shame, he accedes to Haman's request. Instead of investigating the matter and seeing if Mordechai's people were deserving of death, he did nothing. For evil to persist, good people have to do nothing.

3. Giving credit where due 'He who repeats a saying in the name of the one who said it, brings redemption to the world. As it is said, "And Esther told the king in the name of Mordechai." Esther 2:22.' Now that incident refers to Mordechai uncovering a plot against the king and Esther telling the king about it, but giving credit to Mordechai. Because of this, however, the king knew he could trust Esther and Mordechai. Mordechai is in fact rewarded for revealing this conspiracy later. And in ironic fashion, Mordechai is given his honors by the very man who hates him-Haman.


4. Recognizing your role Why are we here? What purpose does God have for our lives? When Esther first becomes queen she doesn't reveal her identity to anyone because Mordechai told her not to. Now that her people are in danger, it is time for her to speak up. She is understandably afraid but sometimes we have to act even when we are afraid. Mordechai tells her through a messenger, "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:13-14. Even though God is not mentioned in this book, we can see His guiding hand at work. Esther was placed in the king's palace just for this reason. It was up to her to petition the king for her life and the life of her people. There is a time to be silent and a time to speak. This is a time to speak.


5. Measure for measure The king asked Haman what should be done for the man whom the king delights to honor? Haman thought the king was referring to Haman. Haman comes up with an elaborate suggestion involving a robe and a horse and crest and that a nobleman should go before that man and call out, such is done for the man whom the king delights to honor! Esther 6:6-9. Only it isn’t Haman who gets the honors it’s Mordechai. 6:10 Mordechai saved the king’s life and was rewarded. Haman thought only of himself and wished to destroy people and thus was humbled. Haman wanted to hang Mordechai on a huge gallows. 5:14 Instead it is Haman who gets hanged. 7:10. Haman had a king issue an edict calling for the destruction of the Jews. 3:12-14. But because of Mordechai and Esther, the king issues a new edict and the Jews are called upon to defend themselves against their enemies. 8:8-11.

6. God’s hiding Why was this book included in the canon when it doesn’t mention God? Wouldn’t that be a prerequisite? What do we learn about God not being mentioned in this book?

Comments and questions are welcome. :)