By Rabbi Shimon Raichik
Purim is a unique Yom Tov on which the simcha is “adei lo yada-without limits”. Why is it called Purim? It is called Purim because it refers to the lottery that Haman cast to decide when to destroy the Jewish People, which in Persian is called a Pur- a lot.
1. Why is the word Purim, a Perisan word used, and not the word ‘goral’ a Hebrew word for lot which is also used in the Megilla (with the words “hu hagoral”)?
2. Every other Yom Tov is named after the victory that particular Yom Tov is celebrated for. For instance the Yom Tov of Chanuka is named because we rested (חנו) on the 25th (כה) from the battle. Or Pesach which because of the miracle of how the Yidden were passed over (pasach) by the plague of the firstborn at the time of the exodus.
The Rebbe explains that in the title “Megillas Ester” we find opposites. On one hand the primary character in the story has a name, Ester, whose meaning is hidden or concealed. On the other hand, the actual word Megilla means revealed. These are paradoxical states, hidden and concealed on one hand and revealed on the other.
In the story itself we find paradoxical behavior as well. When Mordecai found out about the decree, he dressed in sackcloth, fasted and called out in the street. That’s an appropriate response for a Rabbi but Mordecai was a minster, and for him diplomacy is usually the normal way to get things done. He should have called for a round table session to determine the reason for the recent spike in anti-Semitism. Ester decided to fast for three day and then enter into the court of Achashverosh. Why didn’t she just get dressed up to look her best up and then enter? What were they thinking? If they were expecting a miracle they should have fasted and then waited to see what would happen next. If on the other hand they had a political approach, Ester should have gotten ready with a shopping spree on Rodeo Drive or Saks Fifth Avenue and schedule an appointment at her hair dresser. Mordecai should have been wielding his political influence in the corridors of Shushan. Why this mixture of behaviors?
The Rebbe answers that they realized that the entire decree did not spring up out of nowhere but was because the Yidden had done something wrong. They had taken part in the feast of Achashverosh. They had participated in the Persian culture and had eaten non kosher food. Both Ester and Mordecai knew that they had to first rectify the cause by doing teshuva and only then attempt to create a vessel for a natural solution. Checks need backing before they are written. Ester began with three days of fasting and teshuva and then ventured out into the palace.
The lesson for us is that we first need to attend to our relationship with Hashem. We are then free to develop a good and broad vessel to receive Hashem’s blessing for our physical needs. One may ask that since the concealment of Hashem’s presence is so pervasive that the best idea is to go directly to diplomacy. The answer is no! First and foremost we first need to strengthen our connection to Hashem, and through our connection we are able to break through the ‘hastir astir- the double concealment’ (like the meaning of the name Ester) of the non Jewish culture and language (Pur a Persian word not goral a Hebrew word) and reveal (like the word Megilla) the Anochi Hashem- Hashem Himself even beyond a name (As we find that Hashem’s name is not written in the Megilla). This is what brings the true and complete geula and salvation and the greatest simcha until adei lo yada, beyond all limitations. And then we go from the geula of Purim to the Geula of Moshiach (which will be similar to the geula from Mitzrayim) at which time the “night will shine like day” (similar to “Megillas Ester” where the concealment will become revealed) immediately. A Guten Shabbos!
(Based on Likutei Sichos v. 6)