Page 28 - HaMizrachi #7BackgroundwithJIF-Purim

Rabbi Berel Wein

Living our own Purim Story

he Megillah itself tells us that the But my fantasy Purim story has, as of It apparently requires dangerous
memory and commemoration of yet, been unable to fit in the two main circumstances to bring about some
T the days of Purim will continue characters, the heroic figures that make semblance of Jewish unity. Even then,
until eternity and never disappear from the story of Purim timeless and eternal. there are always those who dissent, carp
Jewish life. Extraordinarily, the Talmud and criticize. They were present in Persia
expands this statement to mean that Who is to play the roles of Mordechai long ago when the original Purim story
even at the end of days when the other and Esther in our current Purim unfolded, and they exist today in various
commandments of the Torah may no scenario? Where are they when, forms, organizations and institutions.
longer be necessary because of the seemingly, we need them most? Against They always profess great human goals
exalted state of spirituality within the all odds, ignoring advice from friends and deep concern for the future of the
Jewish nation and mankind as a whole, and threats from foes, Mordechai will Jewish people while at the same time
the commemoration and memory of the not kneel nor bow down to false gods
days of Purim will continue even then. and cruel tyrants. Queen Esther for her taking actions that are detrimental to the
part risks life and limb, position and Jewish present and outrightly dangerous
Jews live with a constant Purim story honor, wealth and comfort, to come to the Jewish future.
unfolding in all generations and over to the aid of her people in their hour
all time. The story of Purim, as it has of need. She is a Jewess first and only Mordechai and Esther are a little too
come down to us through the writings secondarily is she the queen of Persia. Jewish for them. They are too brash,
of Mordechai and Esther, is a story too stubborn, too clannish and are
replete with individual characters These two people, Mordechai and unnecessarily provocative. Mordechai
whose personalities and actions define Esther, have set very high standards for and Esther in their time did not receive
the story itself. These characters are Jewish behavior for all later generations. universal approbation. It is only history,
prototypes for later personalities, ideas, Criticized from within and persecuted in its unfolding of events, that has
plots and events that occur throughout from without, they persevered and proven them correct and heroic. We
history. through their loyalty and commitment cannot expect that people who aspire
to the Torah, people and the Jewish to be Mordechai and Esther in our time
Every generation is charged with should be universally accepted, loved,
reviewing the story of Purim in its time nation, brought about salvation and
and to see the events and characters of triumph. admired…and followed.
its generation in the light of the grand There are such people amongst us today This is a reality of Jewish and human
heavenly scheme that Purim represents. as well. Our task is to recognize and life that must be accepted and factored
Surveying today's scene and events, identify them, strengthen them in their into the general pursuit of the good
I think that I can identify someone efforts and support them against the and noble. Hidden miracles abound in
who can fill the bill as far as King misguided other Jews and non-Jews. All our current world as far as the Jewish
Achashverosh is concerned. I can also of us have the ability to fill in our own people are concerned. Anyone who has
cast someone as a humble and destroyed playbill with the characters – the heroes
Queen Vashti. the good fortune of living in the Land of
and villains, if you will – and construct Israel today instinctively realizes this on
There also are an abundance of tyrants, our own current living Purim story. We a daily basis. Let us strengthen ourselves
haters and corrupt officials who live in momentous times where miracles and be determined and strong as our
certainly can represent Haman in our abound for the Jewish people. Just as in current Purim story unfolds around us.
current reconstruction of the Purim the original Purim story the miracles
story. Even some of the minor characters were hidden and not necessarily obvious Rabbi Berel Wein is Senior Rabbi of
of the Megillah, such as Charvonah, to all, so too is this the case in our time Beit Knesset HaNassi in Jerusalem and
can be discerned in our current world. as well. Director of the Destiny Foundation

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