In the year 357 BCE almost 2400 years ago, the drama of the Purim story played out in the streets of Persia. The future of the entire Jewish nation hung in the balance as Haman with the permission of the Persian king plotted the extermination of the Jewish people. In his arguments to the King to receive permission for his plot, Haman uses age old anti-Semitic diatribes about how different and weird the Jews are. He does such a good job in sharing his rants that he convinces the king to grant permission for the extermination and even gets to keep his bribe he had prepared just for this purpose.
The dramatic twists and turns of the story eventually lead to the downfall of Haman, the rise of a Jewish queen and the prevention of a genocide of the Jewish people.
The story of Purim is the story of the Jew in the diaspora who all too often has faced anti-Semitism and persecution of epic proportions as we deal with the twists and turns of fate and destiny.
A Dramatic Exchange
While there are many striking lessons and ideas from the many parts of the Purim story, there is one particular conversation which is perhaps the most dramatic of them all.
Queen Esther who was still a closet Jew that had not revealed her Jewish identity to the King, is urged by her cousin Mordechai, the leader of the Jews, to use her influence to save the Jewish people. Esther was deathly afraid of even approaching the king without permission and knew that the King who already not seen her for thirty days, was evil enough that he could execute her for approaching him without permission.
At first Esther responds to Mordechai’s messages and pleas of approaching the king with rejection and shares her fears that she will die in the process. Mordechai then responds and says “if you will remain silent at this time, relief and salvation will come to the Jews from another source ……. who knows if it is not for just such a time that you reached this royal position."
In other words, Mordechai encourages her to realize that perhaps it is for this very moment and opportunity that it was divinely ordained that she should be chosen as queen. He exhorts her to realize that nothing is by accident; rather the various episodes and opportunities of life are setups by G-d for us to use them properly and seize the potential of the moment. He begs her to reflect on what happened and realize the very unique position of influence that only she has, and that perhaps she is the one that holds the keys to saving the Jews.
Esther rises to the challenge following Mordechai’s urging, and she embarks on a potentially deadly mission to meet the king and save the Jews. Ultimately this proved to be a success and with some help from G-d almighty the decree was overturned and the tables were turned.
An Eternal Message from Esther
Thousands of years later the joy and message of Purim continue to reverberate and bring joy. Each year as I read the Book of Esther and celebrate the story of Purim, as I read this particular conversation, the dramatic message of this exchange is so powerful, real and relevant.
Each one of us have spheres of influence and have been granted individual missions in life that are unique specifically to us. When a situation arises before us be it in the home, community or workplace, in which we realize that we have the ability to make the required difference, it behooves us to remind ourselves of Mordechai’s words to Esther, “who knows if it is not for just such a time that you reached this …. position”. In other words, if we face a situation or role where we know have the potential to make the required difference, it is almost G-d’s calling to us to find a way to do so, even if it may be challenging.
This is true in regards to what happens to us on a daily basis and true in regards to what happens to us in our communal and professional lives.
Purim is just around the corner, so in addition taking away meaningful messages it is also important to find some time to celebrate next Wednesday evening March 23rd through Thursday evening March 24thwith some of the traditional Purim observances. These include participating in a Purim Party, hearing the Megilla being read, sharing gifts of foods with others and by giving charity to poor people.
Want more info on Purim and on the programs we offer visit www.chabadsudbury.com/purim
Shabbat Shalom & a Happy Purim!
Yisroel