Purim’s timeless message: faith before diplomacy

Purim is a time of great celebration and fun for the whole family. Carnivals; hamantaschen; dress up; festival meals; and gifts of food to friends and family. 

Our sages, however, see the miracle of Purim in a far more meaningful light. They understood Purim to be one of the holiest days of the year. 

There is a Mishnah that states, “One who reads the Megillah backwards has not fulfilled his obligation.” The simple meaning is that if you hear the Megillah read out of sequence, you haven’t done it correctly. If you walk into shul in the middle of the reading, you cannot listen to the second half and then go back and hear the first half. It must be read from the beginning to the end in the correct order. 

The Baal Shem Tov has a fascinating interpretation of this Mishnah. The word for “backwards” is “lemafreah”. Lemafreah can also mean “in retrospect”. Thus, one who reads the Megillah as a historical event, as a tale of old, hasn’t fulfilled his duty. The lessons of the Megillas Esther, the entire story of the rise and fall of Haman, is something which is relevant to us today. In every time and place where we may find ourselves, we ought to realise that the story is current and ongoing. 

What is the essential lesson of the story of Purim? When the Jewish people came under attack, one would naturally think that the first thing they ought to have done is use their diplomatic connections. They certainly had friends in high places. Esther was the queen who had found favour in the king’s eyes. Mordechai was a top advisor of the king who at one point even saved the king’s life. It seems like the greatest diplomatic ties we have ever had! Yet, it was specifically when we seemed more secure than ever that the greatest decree came about. 

And what was the immediate reaction of Mordechai and Esther? Not to pursue the king through normal means, but first to gather the Jewish people and pray, especially the children. Mordechai and Esther knew that the decree did not come about by natural means and therefore the first step wasn’t to annul the decree by natural means, that would come later. Only after the Jewish people returned to Hashem, did Esther agree to intercede with the king. 

This is the eternal lesson of the Megillah: when times are hard and dark clouds hover above, first and foremost, we need to seek to renew our bond with Hashem. Once we have firmly grounded ourselves in our spiritual side, we continue to our efforts to solve any issues by natural means. 

Have a happy Purim!