Purim, A Very Serious Holiday

On Purim I wear a wig, unlike my usual scarf or hat for covering my hair.

Yes, I'm serious about that. I know that Purim is a joyous holiday, known for frivolity and crazy behavior including drinking, but the truth is that there's an important message in the Purim story.

No matter how comfortable and "accepted" the Jewish community seems to be in foreign lands or under foreign rule, there is always a danger. There are always those who want to destroy us. Jewish History keeps repeating itself. One Haman goes and another appears.

And in the big picture, the State of Israel, or any Jewish State Kingdom in Ancient History was also always under attack. Invaders take many different paths. Some are military and some use "kindness." The Persian king Achashverosh invited the Jews of his kingdom to feasts celebrating his reign, and American Presidents off the State of Israel "buy in America" shopping coupons aka "aid." The resulting dependence on America has severely affected our sovereignty, independence and self-sufficiency.

To properly celebrate the Holiday of Purim we are commanded to read the Story of Ester at night and in the morning. If you don't know Hebrew, so follow it in English. Here in Shiloh we hear/read it four times, since we celebrate both days of Purim. So, I've gotten to know it pretty well. I'm always impressed by the simple fact that today, thousands of years after the event occurred, just before the Second Holy Temple was built in Jerusalem, we still follow the instructions told to us in Megillat (Scroll/Story of ) Ester. We tell of what happened, give money to the poor and feast to celebrate the great miracle of the Jewish victory.