by Rabbi Ron Stern
Buried deep in the Megillah’s story of Purim is the account of how the Jewish victory was celebrated. Generally, when the tale is told we leave out the last chapter or two because the response of the Jews to the threats against them are extraordinary violence against their potential perpetrators. As the story-telling goes, thousands are killed by the Jews before they even have lifted a finger against Jewish residents of Persia. Fortunately, for our modern sense of morality, (and the Geneva Convention) scholars tell us that the story of Esther is a comedic satire rather than a historical account. So for all intents and purposes, we needn’t feel like we have innocent blood on our historical hands.
However, the story is compelling because even though the bloody conclusion is fiction, the tale of Jewish persecution is not. There have been Hamans in every generation; complicity of a country’s leadership is almost as easy to secure as that of Ahashuerus—who is easily bribed. Were it nearly so easy to reverse the evil designs of the world’s antisemites over the ages! In that sense, the Purim story conveys a bit of wishful thinking. If only we could count on a beautiful brave queen, a wise advisor, an easily manipulated monarch, and an incompetent villain to save us in every generation.
Powerfully, wrapped in the conclusion of the Purim saga is additional description of the Jewish victory celebration: “They were to observe them as days of feasting and merrymaking, and as an occasion for sending gifts to one another and presents to the poor.” (Esther 9:22) Now that we recognize! It is an astounding sentence if we take the whole story in context. The memorial to the holiday is not a victory parade over the demise of our enemies rather it is a celebration of life AND a recommitment to community. Underlying this practice is a deep and consistent Jewish value: tikkun olam—world repair. Even as we recall our close call, the response is to reach out to others. Give gifts to your community and give support to the less fortunate.
So celebrate Purim! Come to the carnival, come study, laugh, and munch hamantaschen with us Monday night (adults), and by all means make a donation to your favorite cause to help the poor. You can learn about our partner organizations at WiseLA.org/TikkunOlam.
