When we gather to celebrate Purim on Saturday night and Sunday, we will watch the children prance around in their costumes eating hamentashen, singing songs, and drowning out the name of Haman during the reading of the Megillah. We must keep in mind, however, that amidst the fun and joy of the holiday is a serious message. Namely, the possibility of evil lurks just around the corner. This is evident near the beginning of the story of Esther, when Haman tells the king: “There is a certain people, scattered and dispersed among the other peoples in all the provinces of your realm, whose laws are different from those of any other people and who do not obey the king’s laws; and it is not in Your Majesty’s interest to tolerate them” (Esther 3:8).
This, unfortunately, is a story that has repeated itself numerous times throughout Jewish history – that of a political leader who does not like the Jews, usually just because we are different in some ways from our neighbors. We understand that it is possible to live as Jews within a broad, diverse society. We know that it is possible to draw a balance between our interests in “secular” life and Jewish heritage. Our loyalties to both are not compromised by our commitment to either.
Purim reminds us that not everyone perceives us the way we perceive ourselves, and so the world is not always a safe place. And though we should not live in fear and paranoia, we should be vigilant in preserving freedom and understanding for all groups in our society, so that we, too, may enjoy the benefits of the same freedom and understanding.
Shabbat shalom, and hag Purim sameah!
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