This has been a sensational week. Purim was amazing. Over 1,000 Jews in the New Orleans metro area participated in a Chabad Megillah reading. Hundreds attended the various Purim events that were held throughout the holiday. We were able to reach not only the masses, but also the individuals who sometimes fall between the cracks. Jews who are hospitalized. Jews living in senior homes. Folks who cannot make it to Shul for whatever reason.
In a parallel universe, the attacks against the Iranian regime and their counter attacks occurred in fascinating juxtaposition to Purim. Israelis are again in and out of shelters, as the Iranian regime attempts a last gasp at survival.
(In an alternative universe, the antisemitic conspiracy theorists are outdoing themselves in what has become a theater of the absurd. IYKYK.)
The Purim story also has two parallel plots running through it.
There is the story that starts off about the Jewish struggle with their own identity and ends with the ultimate embrace of their true selves.
Then there is the story of the Jew-haters (Haman and his ilk) and their failed attempt to destroy the Jews, which boomeranged back at them. In the words of Haman’s wife Zeresh, “Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him—you will surely fall before him!”
Mordechai and Esther were bouncing back and forth between the two parallels, but their main focus was the first story. They recognized that the parallel plot was simply a subplot to drive the main story. First the Jews humiliated themselves with their excitement at finally being “accepted” by a society that sought their disgrace. Then, with the encouragement of Mordechai and Esther, they reconnected with their core identity and relationship with Hashem.
Along the way, at first, Haman was allowed the illusion of free reign against the Jews, only to be tripped up by his own machinations once the Jews reconnected with Hashem. He was hung on the very gallows that he prepared for Mordechai. The crazy detail in the story is, that despite witnessing what happened to their leader Haman, 75,800 dolts remained committed to his plot to destroy the Jews and lost their lives in the process. (Imagine the modern headlines of this story, “Disproportionate response as the Jews kill 75,800 innocent civilians (who attacked them…).”)
The similarity to today is uncanny. Jews are reconnecting with their identity. Antisemites are barking and threatening. Crazy conspiracy theorists are spinning increasingly disturbing tales. In the end “Haman and his ten sons are swinging on the gallows,” and the Jews, supported by their allies, will be victorious, with the help of Hashem.
As we say after the Megillah reading, “The rose of Jacob thrilled with joy and exulted... You have always been their salvation, their hope in every generation, to make known that all who place hope in You shall not be put to shame, nor shall all those who trust in You be disgraced forever.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendel Rivkin