Purim: Lessons in Unity
BY MRS. MICHAL HOROWITZ
Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jews in the 127 provinces of the Persian Empire millennia ago. While Purim is a holiday of rejoicing, food, drink and parties, we must maintain the proper focus on the lessons learned from this holy day.
The story takes place during a time of hester panim (Chullin 139b), which gives rise to Haman’s edict to destroy, kill, and decimate all the Jews, from youth to elderly, young to women (Esther 3:13).
With G-d’s “behind-the-scenes” intervention, along with the great courage and brave actions of Esther and Mordechai, the tables are turned. What Haman planned to do was done to him, his sons, and the enemies of the Jews throughout the kingdom. To remember this miracle – and that even in the most harrowing times, G-d never abandons His people – we celebrate Purim annually.
Today our nation faces an enemy that rises up to destroy us. The Amaleks of our day have inherited the bloodlust of their forefather, Haman. And though, at times, it may be difficult to see the hand of Hashem guiding our fate, Purim reminds us that Hashem is ever-present, and the forces of evil will never succeed.
While sincere repentance and heartfelt prayers will annul an evil decree against us, there is an additional key ingredient necessary for salvation that oftentimes seems to elude us. When we are united in achdut, as one nation with one heart, our spiritual fortifications are strengthened, and our nation retains the upper hand.
When we recognize that in the eyes of our enemies – from Haman to our enemies today – we are very much one people, we will be inspired to connect and unite with our fellow Jews and become the one nation they perceive that we are. When Haman revealed his nefarious plan to Achashveirosh, he notably stated: “yeshno am ehad, there is one nation, that is scattered and dispersed amongst the nations, in every province of your kingdom, and their religion is different from all (other) nations, and the laws of the king they do not keep…” (Esther 3:8).
Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik zt”l teaches, “Haman hated not individuals, but the people as an entity. He indicted not individuals, but the nation. I interpret ‘am ehad, one people,’ not in the sense of a certain people, but of one united people. Notwithstanding the fact that they are ‘scattered and dispersed across all the provinces of your realm,’ they are a united people. The fact that we live in so many countries, speak so many languages, dress in a variety of ways, have different concerns, and do not even know one another, does not deter Haman from looking upon us as a united people… The Hebrew word for ‘people,’ am, is related to the Hebrew word im meaning ‘with,’ ‘togetherness.’ Jewish peoplehood signifies both togetherness and the uniqueness that derives from togetherness” (Megillat Esther Mesorat Harav, 76,79).
While we may be different from our fellow Jews – and the differences are many, such as (but certainly not limited to) language, dress, style of head covering or lack thereof, political leanings, religious commitment and practices, countries of origin – we must remember that that which unites us is far greater than that which divides us.
When we received the Torah, we were privy to revelation because we camped “like one man with one heart” (Rashi, Shemot 19:2). Interestingly, the Megillah tells us that after the Purim miracle, “kiymu v’kiblu haYehudim, The Jews upheld and accepted, upon themselves and their seed…” (Esther 9:27). Chazal teach: “kiymu mah she’kiblu k’var” – they re-accepted what they had already once accepted (Shabbat 88a). This refers to their reacceptance of Torah in the time of Esther and Mordechai, which they had already accepted long ago, at the time of Matan Torah.
Perhaps we can propose an additional interpretation to this teaching of Chazal: They re-accepted brotherhood and unity upon themselves and their seed, as they had done once before, long ago, when they stood united at Matan Torah.
May we integrate the lessons of Purim into our own lives, so that we too merit the great and miraculous salvation of G-d. Purim Sameach!
Michal Horowitz teaches regularly scheduled classes, as well as presents guest lectures, on various topics related to Torah, Judaism, Jewish thought, and inspiration. She lives on Long Island, N.Y., with her family.