Purim Reflections

Throughout the entire story of Purim in the Megillah, God is not mentioned once. But since this is a story about God miraculously saving the Jewish community of Persia, why is the almighty left out of the story entirely ?
The response to this question are many which our sages have pondered over. Many of the great Jewish commentators had this same question and discussed this issue at length over time and circumstance.
If we compare the story of Purim with that of our other holidays it is clear that the plot featuring Esther, Mordechai and Haman present us with no new miracles. No seas split, no mass revelation, no dwelling in clouds for forty years, and no overcoming an enemy one hundred times our size using guerrilla warfare. What did happen was that a lot of people were in the right place at the right time to provide just the political clout necessary when needed. All these events were deliberately orchestrated from above by the Almighty who stood behind a stage, so to speak.—
In a sense Purim is a holiday of masks. The costumes conceal one’s real identity, just like the dough of the hamantash covers the fruit filling, the Megillah conceals God’s name and says nothing of divine intervention.
Although Purim and the characters portrayed in the story are often presented in a lighthearted narrative, the seriousness of hatred and anti-Semitism are easily stirred up. Even today we see it re emerging throughout the world and we must respond with vigilance.

Please join us for our Purim Megillah reading on Wednesday March 20th at the Alpine Community House, 5 Old Dock Road, Alpine, N.J.07620 at 4:00 pm. You are welcome to wear masks and costumes. Hamantaschen will be served.