The Jews were facing rising antisemitism all over the world.
The forces of evil held tremendous sway over the sentiment on the street, media, educational campuses and even the leadership of the world superpower.
Many Jews were intimidated and lowered their heads, hid their identity, or bowed down to the antisemites in fear and trepidation, in the vein hope that somehow this would make them fit in and be likable.
Many even attended events in which they themselves, the Jewish people, were denigrated, made fun of, and had their religious symbols mocked in public. Perhaps some even agreed with the messaging of "how the Jews are so different than everyone else, and have a set of values that doesn't resonate with humanity".
Obviously it seems that some felt that at least by showing up and being one of them, perhaps we will be liked more and have more sway. Perhaps the public declarations in the halls of leadership of the world power validating the criticisms of their own people, will make them be seen as likable and beloved.
Eventually even that didn't help, and through a combination of tremendous financial influence and persuasion and tapping into the bigotry of leadership of the superpower, matters went from hatred on the street, to hatred that became enshrined in law, with the eventual goal and date set for the massacre of the Jews by the powers and the mobs.
The Jews would be denied weapons that could be used to defend themselves from this terrible decree, and would simply have to wait for it to unfold and accept it without a fight.
This is the story of the build up to Purim....
Indeed there was no escape for the Jews.... no friends and allies, and nowhere to hide.
Queen Esther and Mordechai reminded the Jews that as important as it is to use diplomacy and work with the leadership of the land, our strength as a people stems from something else. Our strength is built on our faith in G-d who helps deliver us time and time again throughout history, and by us not renouncing our identity and values, and instead, choosing to be be proud Jews, who are united as one, who gather as a community to rally and teach the young the pillars of our faith and values and how we seek to live, and don't stop living lives of meaning and purpose each and every day.
Yes at times over the last few months, weeks and even days, the concerns of the Jewish people from the modern day difficulties, hate and the war in Israel, along with the pain of seeing some of our own, not having the courage to stand with the Jewish people at the time of need, have been very hard to watch and process and sometimes evoke similar parralels to what has happened to us in the past.
Yet, as we prepare to relive the story of Purim, we are reminded that "VaNahpoch Hu", the nightmare was completely turned around, and the evil plans of the enemies of the Jews were undone and unraveled. Eventually even the superpower of the time, realized that a wrong was being done, and enabled the Jewish people to fully defend themselves on the days of the planned murderous attacks.
It wasn't the kowtowing and blindly bowing down to the haters that brought about the change, it was the realization, that our destiny and strength comes from somewhere else.
Holding on to this hope with an unbreakable faith, being proud of our identity, and at the same time living up to the values of the Jewish people, were the principles and ideas, that helped the Jewish people miraculously navigate this dangerous period, and come out on the other side unscathed.
Indeed not only unscathed, but now armed with a reinforced message, that we will continue to overcome every obstacle that comes our way, and we need never to cringe at our identity and values, but instead live them more and live them up.
Happy almost Purim!
While different in dynamics and scope, may all the negative things that we currently face, be once again turned around. May the hostages be released and returned home safely, and may we see an end of the evil of hatred and the suffering that is has brought to so many, and a restoration of peace to the Land of Israel and everywhere else in the world that needs this blessing.
Shabbat Shalom & Happy Purim
Yisroel