By Senior Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz
Chag Purim, chag Purim! Chag gadol hu la’Yehudim…
Purim Day, Purim Day! It’s a great Jewish holiday…
As the joyous melody rings out, we remember that Purim is a celebration unlike any other in the Jewish calendar.
Sometimes described as our Jewish Mardi Gras, Purim is teeming with color and exuberance.
It is our time when the ordinary is turned upside down, and joy reigns supreme.
We celebrate Purim with lively music, cheerful parades, vivid costumes, and, responsibly, a few drinks. And we celebrate within an atmosphere of merriment and togetherness.
But Purim also commemorates a time when the Jewish people faced grave danger in the ancient Persian Empire and, through courage and wisdom, emerged with their lives and their spirit intact.
Unlike many of our festivals, the story of Purim does not appear in the Torah. Instead, it was established by the Jewish people through the Book of Esther, a biblical story that has inspired all future Jewish generations with its themes of resilience and hope.
The Rabbis of the Talmud saw a fascinating connection between Purim and Yom Kippur, also known as Yom ha-Kippurim.
Through the Hebrew wordplay of the two holidays, a link is made between our most joyful and most solemn holidays.
The Chazal (Sages of Blessed Memory) drew an important parallel between Esther’s brave approach to the king to plead for her people and the High Priest’s entry into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur to seek atonement for the Jewish people.
The two moments similarly highlight the strength of an individual’s courage and intercession on behalf of their sacred community.
Purim may seem like a paradox. It overflows with fun and humor, yet it also serves as a moving reminder of the vulnerability the Jewish people have faced throughout history, often in the face of hatred and adversity.
When we consider our Jewish children, we want them to be physically and spiritually safe.
We must pass on to them the sacred joys of their Jewish heritage, instilling pride in our traditions, while likewise fostering awareness and fortitude in a world that sometimes resists those who celebrate their differences.
The Book of Esther is unique among biblical texts. It never explicitly mentions God’s name, which invites us to search for hidden meaning and divine presence within the biblical story.
Chazal taught that God’s hand is hidden and only guides us from “behind the scenes.”
Yet, as individuals and as a people, it is ultimately up to us to step forward with courage, sustaining love, joy, and hope in our hearts.
At the same time, we remain steadfast with our responsibility to protect ourselves and our fellow Jews.
As we celebrate Purim with great joy, let us also commit to equipping our children with the knowledge, pride, and strength they need to live as Jews in the world today, safely and thoroughly.
Chag Purim Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Mitch
Temple Sholom’s Senior Rabbi Mitchell M. Hurvitz is a scholar, teacher, community activist and preacher, and is recognized as one of the prominent religious leaders in the Greenwich area and beyond. A frequent guest speaker at synagogues and churches, study groups, community institutions and universities, he is a charismatic personality who engages individuals and stimulates hearts and minds. His teachings can be found in The Sentinel papers and in other local and national publications.
