Purim

Thank g-d purim’s around the corner… here’s some unique insights into this awesome holiday. Background info:

In the year 3338 (423 BCE) the first Holy Temple is destroyed by the armies of King Nebuchadnezzar. At this time the majority of the Jews are exiled to Babylon and Persia (modern day Iran and Iraq). Fifty-one years later (372 BCE) Babylon falls to the Medes and Persians, and in 3392 (369 BCE) King Achashverosh of Persia ascends the throne, ruling over 127 provinces. See megilla for complete story!

What is the essence of purim, and how does it manifest itself through the special mitzvah commandments of the day? What is the unique message of purim to the jewish people at large, as well as the individual?

Perhaps the foundational idea lies within thewell known words of our sages. “chayavinishlevisumaybepuriyaaddiloyadabeinarurhamanlebaruch Mordechai” (one is obligated to become intoxicated with wine on purim till the point where he cannot differentiate between cursed is haman and blessed is Mordechai!). why does the torah want us to lose our ability to differentiate between good and bad (i.e. Mordechai and haman)?

To understand this, we’ll need to analyze what good and bad really are in the first place. As long as we live in a world void of true unity, there exists the concept of choice. There are two basic principles that choice existsapon. First, the “chooser” must be a separate entity from the “choices”. And second, choice is only possible if there are two choices to choose from. (the word for choice in Hebrew is “bichira” which starts with the letter bais [numerical value of two] to hint to this concept!). This means that there must be at least two different states of existence (physically/ conceptually) or else it would be impossible to choose. These two “states of existence” are “good” and “bad”. Through the power of choice man binds himself to one of these “states of existence” and internalizes it’s fundamental essence. This experience is constantly reoccurring with the progression of time. It’s our “choice” to choose consciously or subconsciously, but regardless man is constantly choosing. We chose our beliefs, thoughts, words and actions every moment. Positive choices strengthen our existence, while negative choices make us feel empty and unsturdy. From a slightly deeper angle, “bad” is the “state of existence” of “non-existence”, while “good” is the actual “state of existence”! Through evil choices one attaches himself to the reality of non-existence (or detaches himself from the reality of existence, depends which way you look at it) resulting in a slow process of inner self-dissolvement.

When the universe as well as g-d and mankind reach a state of absolute oneness, definitionaly there will be no more ability to chose! The “chooser” along with the “choices” will all become one entity! “existence” and “non-existence” will unite creating a new reality which we have absolutely no perception of from man’s current frame of reference! Astounding! Breathtaking! …Achdus (unity)!

With these ideas, perhaps we can elucidate the deep words of our sages mentioned above. The mind (or aspects of it) in it’s normal state is constantly differentiating. Differentiation necessitates “good” and “bad” as explained. For example, as soon as we meet someone we’re immediately trying to “pin a label” on him and assign him to some sort of “group”.  This acts as a barrier preventing us from seeing the unity of creation. Wine has the power to release the ability of the mind to differentiate, not only by removing our senses, but by awakening a deeper level of awareness… an awareness of this awesome oneness we’ve been discussing!

This is purim! Purim is about peeling away the surface level, superficial perception of the mind and revealing the true perception of reality “underneath”. Our sages teach us that purim is the only holiday which will stay with us in the days of mashiach. This is because purim holds within it a taste of the ultimate revelation of mashiach! Our “normal minds” don’t let us see g-d’s presence on a day-to-day basis, nature hides hashem’s “hand” but with the revelation of mashiach there will be a complete turnaround! The disguise of nature will twist into the most definitive evidence of g-d’s everlasting presence, the essence of unity, and a cohesive oneness never before experienced! Interestingly, in Hebrew the word for nature is “hateva”(86) which has the same numerial value as “elokim”(86), one of g-d’s names! The destribution of “shalochmanos” (gifts customarily given on the day of purim) as well as money to the needy (“maatanoslevyonim”) are not mere actions, rather the formation of new relationships between one another. Relationships of love and unity… the numerical value for the word love in Hebrew (“ahava”-13) is equal to the word “echad”(13) or one!The Talmud tells us that on purim “hadarvikibluha” , the jewish people recommitted to the torah, and as rashi (Talmudic scholar around 1040-1105) comments it was “from the love of the miracle”! A miracle which turned darkness into light, confusion into utmost clarity, and separation into unity! The “purim phenomena” is ongoing. Who can forget the final scream of the nazi cannibals at the Nuremberg trials- “Purim fest”. They know the truth as well as we do. As a nation as well as on an individual level, purim is the time for us to reunite and recommit. Unite as a people, unite with our souls, and unite with hashem! May we all merit to taste a little bit of this “true oneness” on purim, and live to experience the coming of mashiach speedily in our days!

A freilichenpurim!