Article published on February, 25th 2021 in Iton Gadol
Isaac Sacca, Chief Sephardic Rabbi and President of the Jewish World Organization for the Youth , shares his message for the Argentine society in tune with the inspiration of the Purim holiday that begins on February 25th. He also answers the most common doubts about the meaning and customs of this holiday.
Purim begins on Thursday night, February 25th, 2021, it is a Jewish holiday that represents a moment of joy and rejoicing to connect with God through good actions and peace among human beings.
What is Purim?
Purim recalls the events narrated in the Scroll of Esther: during the reign of Achashverosh, the Jews were about to die at the hands of the Persians, instigated by the evil plans of Haman, who had issued a decree of extermination. We remember the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people, thanks to divine intervention, through Esther and Mordechai.
In current times, Esther’s positive leadership emerges as a beacon for a new generation of women, who seek to defend the rights of oppressed minorities. She is an example of courage and struggle. She represents all those women who pursue noble ideals and are willing to sacrifice their comforts for social welfare, justice, freedom and peace.
Five characters of Purim
Esther’s leadership
Esther, an orphan of both father and mother, is raised by Mordechai. King Achashverosh falls in love with her and she is taken to the palace. She marries the king. She receives advice from Mordechai. When the Jewish people are in danger from Haman’s evil plans, Esther reacts and takes action, saving her people and causing the villain’s downfall.
Esther becomes a leader. Her character evolves: from mere passivity and resignation to the resolution and determination that characterize great leaders.
Mordechai’s bravery
Mordechai is the leader of the Jews in exile. He refuses to kneel in front of the corrupt minister Haman. He denounces a palace intrigue against King Achashverosh and saves his life. He prompts Esther to speak to the king to save the Jewish people. Finally, he is appointed as royal adviser.
Mordechai stands out for his rejection of corruption: he overcomes adversity and stands firm in morality and faith. He masters his instincts and solves problems with wit and intelligence.
Haman’s ambition
Haman, suspicious of Mordechai, tries to exterminate the Jewish people, manipulating King Achashverosh. His ultimate goal is to carry out a coup and seize power. He ends up ridiculed: he and his children are punished.
Ambition and pride destroy him: when he thinks he has succeeded, an unexpected turn surprises him and everything changes. Haman ends up being humiliated by his own lust for power.
The Comedy of Achashverosh
Achashverosh is a military man who comes to power because he marries the king’s daughter, Vashti. He holds sumptuous parties and he is surrounded by advisers of doubtful wisdom. He breaks away from his wife on a whim and he is manipulated by his court.
It is unclear whether Achashverosh is a political genius or a lucky fool. He is a tragicomic character, whose ambiguity is explained by a mixture of ambition and insecurity.
G’d, the hidden protagonist
In the entire scroll of Esther, the name of G’d does not appear once.
This is the main message of Purim: G’d is always present, even if we do not perceive Him. God’s concealment is also a way of revelation: salvation through human action is part of the Divine plan.
The History of Purim
On Purim, which is celebrated on Adar 14th, we commemorate the salvation of the Jewish people from the hands of a cruel enemy.
The story begins approximately 2350 years ago, when the powerful King Achashverosh, ruler of the Persian Empire, held a great banquet to celebrate his three years of rule. Many Jews participated in it and, feeling honored by the king’s invitation, did not hesitate to correspond him. During the celebration the king requested the presence of his wife Vashti, who refused to comply with the royal request. The king then sentenced her to death. At the suggestion of his advisers, he made a selection among the maidens of the kingdom and chose Esther as her new sovereign, who on the advice of her uncle Mordechai concealed her Jewish origin.
Mordechai, a great sage of the Jews and at the same time advisor of the king, discovered a conspiracy against Achashverosh and reported it to the palace authorities, thereby achieving recognition and insertion of his good deed in the book of memories.
Achashverosh had a minister named Haman, who had a lot of power. He, upset by the attitude of Mordechai (who was the only councilor of the palace who did not bow before his presence), predisposed the king against him and his people, getting the monarch to sign a decree ordering the extermination of all the Jews, seizing their wealth.
When the news spread, the Jewish people fasted and prayed, realizing that the decree was due to their transgressions. Mordechai told Esther about the events and she invited the king to participate in a special banquet, together with the evil minister Haman. Puffed up by the queen’s attention, Haman found Mordechai on his way and decided to build a gallows to execute Mordechai.
That night Achashverosh was awake and asked to see the book of the royal chronicles. After reading what Mordechai had done for him, he asked what award he had received, and since they answered that he was not rewarded, he called Haman and asked him what is done to a man whom the king wishes to honor. Haman, thinking that he alluded to his person, suggested that he be mounted on a royal horse, with the crown and royal investitures and be carried by a nobleman who preceding him proclaims: “This is done with a man whom the king wants to honor. With this response, Achashverosh entrusted Haman to be in charge of carrying out this task with the great Jewish sage Mordechai.
The next day the queen’s banquet was held. The king asked Esther what her wish was and she asked that her life and the life of her people to be spared, pointing to Haman as her potential murderer. Therefore Achashverosh ordered the use of the gallows – originally prepared for Mordechai – to execute the evil Haman. Mordechai was granted the position of Haman and he drew up a new decree empowering Jews to bear arms and defend themselves against their enemies. In the lands of Achashverosh the Jews enjoyed happiness on the 14th of Adar, and on the 15th of Adar in the city of Shushan, and they celebrated with joyous banquets the salvation of the dire decree. By this miracle Mordechai established that every year on the 14th of Adar the Megillah of Esther ,in which this story is related, will be read ,and that gifts will be distributed among the poor and among friends, so that, in this way, joy be full for all Jews.
When is Purim celebrated?
Purim begins on the fourteenth day of the month of the Hebrew year called Adar, and is celebrated for a single day. In some specific cities, such as Jerusalem, it is celebrated one day later, the fifteenth of Adar. This year, 2021, it starts from sunset on Thursday, February 25th, and ends on the afternoon of Friday, February 26th.
How do we greet on Purim?
The traditional greeting is “Purim sameach”, which is translated as “happy Purim”
What is the spiritual purpose of Purim?
Purim means “raffle”. All the events narrated in the Scroll of Esther seem fortuitous and a product of chance: God’s name is not mentioned explicitly even once. The main message of the story is precisely that random events are actually a consequence of the actions of human beings, if they are good, the events will be good. God oversees and directs the world by seeing that the good receivetheir blessing and recognition, even when this is not obvious to human eyes.
How is Purim celebrated?
Mainly it is celebrated with the reading of the Scroll of Esther in a family banquet and festive atmosphere . It is also an obligation to carry out concrete acts of charity and commitment to others and to focus on giving to those in need, without distinction.
This year, the meetings will be held respecting the isolation and prevention measures for contagion by Coronavirus according to the provisions of the health agencies of each city.
What are the customs of the holiday of Purim?
Zecher Le Machatzit HaShekel – Memory of the half Shékel -monetary unit-
It is customary to give a sum equivalent to the value of 10 grams of pure silver to charity before Purim in memory of the Machatzit HaShekel (the half-shekel of silver that was given annually for the maintenance of the sanctuary in Jerusalem). This date was chosen because Haman promised to pay in coins for each Jew who succumbed, and we demonstrate the true sense of goodness that money must have in contrast with Haman’s evil intentions. It is correct to give this sum to each member of the family, and even to babies that are still in their mothers’ wombs.
The reading of Megillat Esther -The book of the Bible that tells the story of Purim-
One of the main precepts of Purim is the Reading of the Megillah, where the story that happened with Mordechai and Esther is related. Both men and women are required to hear the Megillah on the night and day of Purim. The Megillah must be read in front of a Minyan (10 people). In case one cannot read it with Minyan, only recite the preliminary blessings but not the subsequent blessing of the Megillah.
At the synagogue the Megillah is read by the Chazan, from a Megillah made with parchment and written by a Sofer according to the Halacha, and the audience carefully follows the words of the Chazan from a book.
The officiant who reads the Megillah must pay attention that his blessings and his reading serve the entire public, and, at the same time, the public must think about complying with the precepts, with the blessings and the reading of the Chazan.
Mishloach Manot -shipping of food portions-
Another Mitzvah -precept- of Purim is the Mishloach Manot, that is, the sending of meals to a friend. This precept has two reasons:
1- There is a precept to have a banquet on Purim and there are people who do not have the financial means to do it and are ashamed to ask. In this way they will receive the necessary food to hold the banquet without being embarrassed.
2- The other reason is that Haman said that the Jews were a scattered and antisocial people even among themselves. He used this as an argument to accuse the Jewish people . Therefore, with this precept we show that Haman’s accusations were totally false.
Matanot Laevionim -gifts for the underprivileged-
Since this day should be a joyful day for everyone, the precept of giving charity was established so that the humble also rejoice on this holiday.
1) At least two needy people must be given a sum no less than the equivalent of one perutah – an ancient Jewish bronze coin that weighed one thousandth of a pound – in each case.
2) In any case, it is correct to increase the donation of charity, and it is preferable to decrease the amount of Mishloach Manot and use that money for charity.
The objective of these precepts is to bring joy to others and to help everyone who needs it, promoting harmony and peace in society.
How will Purim be celebrated in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic?
The following dispositions have been agreed with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel in relation to the care that must be taken in the next ceremonies related to the festival of Purim.
Prayers should be done in as many groups as necessary to avoid the concentration of people.
Festive meal: Make it with the closest family and do not gather several families and even less, the general public.
Mishlóaj Manot: Comply with what is just required by Halacha – Jewish law – by sending 2 meals to one person. Do not increase in sending Mishloach Manot to several people.
Matanot Laebionim: Deliver at least one meal to two poor people. This year we must increase in giving to the needy and try to do it by digital means to the entities in charge. This year there should be no community Purim parties.
Source: www.itongadol.com
