This year, the Purim festival falls on March 24th. It is not one of the major festivals of the Torah, as it only originated in the 5th century BC. However, its origins are dramatic – and disturbingly relevant today. Let me briefly recount them.
In the royal palace in Persia, there lives a great prince. His name is Haman. The king is so impressed by Haman that he makes him viceroy. By law, the king decrees that everyone must bow down to Haman—always and everywhere. And people do. On his way to the palace, Haman passes an unassuming Jew every day. His name is Mordechai. Mordechai is a nobody. He has no rank and is essentially insignificant. The only problem is: Mordechai doesn't bow down. Perhaps he only wants to kneel before God.
Haman is as angry as a child: “When Haman saw that Mordecai did not kneel or bow down before him, he was filled with anger.” (Esther 3:5) Just imagine! The whole world is at this man's feet, except for one person – and that makes him furious. Haman is not great. He is a spoiled brat whose inferiority complex has turned into delusions of grandeur. But what happens next is the last straw: Haman wants not only Mordecai, but the entire Jewish people throughout the Persian Empire to be wiped out. Thousands of people – all because of wounded pride. The story has a happy ending because God has provided. God had appointed Esther, a Jewish woman, as queen of the Persian Empire shortly before. With great wisdom, skill, and courage, she finds a way to address the threatening situation with the king. The king is furious and now takes action against Haman. In the end, Haman hangs on the gallows, not Mordecai. The danger is averted. Since then, Jews have celebrated Purim (which roughly translates to fate or destiny).
Celebrating life
Purim is a joyous festival. It's a bit like Carnival. People are boisterous, drink too much alcohol (only on this day), dress up in costumes, exchange gifts, stuff themselves with sweets, and celebrate. They celebrate life—or survival. They celebrate liberation and God's victory. In the synagogue, things are more subdued on this day, but not truly solemn. The entire Book of Esther is read aloud. In one go. This takes about 45 minutes. The Jews bring rattles. And loud clappers that make a tremendous racket. Some also bring whistles or other instruments. Anything that makes noise is welcome. These noisemakers are used deliberately. Every time the name Haman is mentioned in the reading of the Book of Esther, people blow, rattle, stomp, and clapper with all their might. In this way, the name Haman is meant to be erased. And it is. Haman is literally drowned out by the noise of the synagogue congregation.
This refers not only to Haman, but to all enemies of Israel. God will defeat them all, but Israel will live: Am Israel chai (the people of Israel live)!
