Signification
and celebration of the Feast of Purim
פורים
Chance
doesn't exist!
Purim, פורים, is a Persian word meaning "to cast lots." It was
on the 13th day of the month of Adar that Haman,
Achashverosh's minister, decided to cast lots in order
to destroy the Jewish people. This month was also the month in
which Moshe died and Haman thought it was a good
omen foretelling the death of the people he hated; but he had
forgotten that the month of Adar was also the month of Moshe's
birthday!
Purim
is the story of a young Jewish queen who was instrumental in the
salvation of the Jewish nation through the miraculous, but hidden
intervention of G-d,
who's Name isn't revealed in the Meguilat Esther (Esther
scroll). Haman's evil plan of genocide was reversed and
instead, it became a day of victory over the enemies and an official
day of rejoicing for the Jewish people and for future generations
to come.
In
Jewish tradition, it is said that the Feast of Purim will still
be celebrated in the Messianic times because it symbolizes the
victory over Amalek and the demonstration of G-d's
love for His people.
Purim
is the last feast before the end of the Jewish year and comes
before Pesach, already proclaiming the deliverance.
Historical
context:
This
story happens during the seventy years of captivity of the Jewish
people in Babylonia, about 2370 years ago according to Jewish
sources. Achashverosh (Atarxerces I or II depending on
the source), is the ruler of the Persian Empire which succeeded
the Babylonian one. His wife, Vashti, is the only remaining
descendant of Nebuchadnezzar.
The
king gives a banquet to rejoice because the seventy years of captivity
are almost gone; the Jewish people haven't been delivered as yet
and Jerusalem hasn't been rebuilt as prophesied by the Jewish
prophets. It was under his reign that the rebuilding of the
Temple ceased and just like his predecessor, Belshatzar,
he too sat drinking and serving wine in the sacred cups of the
Temple.
Being
drunk, he invites his wife Vashti, to appear naked (as
mentioned in the Midrash) in front of his nobles and officers.
After her refusal, he decides to divorce her and looks for a new
wife among the young girls of the kingdom.
Esther
is chosen and will be silent about her Jewish birth until the
right time. Meanwhile Haman is elevated by the king and
seeing Mordechai's refusal to bow before him, he will attempt
to annihilate the Jewish population, thus enacting the first Jewish
genocide.
Esther,
having fasted, will go and intercede to the king for the salvation
of her people; the situation will be reversed giving advantage
to the Jews and Haman will be hung, together with his sons.
Mordechai will be elevated before the king and instead
of a day of great mourning, as planned by the descendant of Amalek,
it will be a day of official rejoicing for the descendants of
Avraham.
Purim
depicts the evil fight against the Jewish people, a fight that
is willing to eradicate the Name of G-d
on earth.
Haman was an Amalekite, descendant from Agag,
himself a descendant of Amalek.
After
coming out of Egypt, all nations were afraid of the Jewish people
because of the miracles of G-d,
except for one nation, Amalek, who boldly attacked the
weakened Jews in the desert.
Thus
G-d
ordered the destruction of Amalek:
Therefore, when ADONAI your God has given you rest from all your
surrounding enemies in the land ADONAI your God is giving you
as your inheritance to possess, you are to blot out all memory
of 'Amalek' from under heaven. Don't forget!
Deuteronomy
25:19
Years
later, Shaül (Saül) won't obey G-d
and will spare the life of the Amalekite king, Agag,
will spend the night with
his wife and have a descendant
(as told by the Midrash) before Shmuel (Samuel) kills him:
However, Sha'ul and the people spared Agag, along
with the best of the sheep and cattle, and even the second best,
also the lambs, and everything that was good--they weren't inclined
to destroy these things. But everything that was worthless or
weak they completely destroyed. 1
Samuel 15:9
Amalek, עמלק
symbolizes
doubt, hesitation, as is revealed to us in the numerical value
of his name and is similar to the Hebrew word safek, ספק
which means doubt: 240
Let's
also check the word used in verse18 from the 25th Chapter
of Deuteronomy for "how he met you", korecha, קרך
which
means to get cold, from the root kor, קר
and also
the one for " by chance", mikreh, מקרא
:
"Remember what 'Amalek' did to you on
the road as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you, korecha,
קרך by
the road, attacked those in the rear, those who were exhausted
and straggling behind when you were tired and weary. He did not
fear God. Deuteronomy
25:17
Amalek is the image of doubt and unbelief
in G-d's
existence, the coldness towards the miracles and to the goodness
of G-d
and also the denial of G-d's
authority in men's affairs. Haman would rather cast lots
and trust in the occult power of chance rather than admit to the
sovereignty of G-d.
In
the same way that Amalek didn't fear the divine wrath by
attacking the Jewish nation, Haman, will also attempt to
destroy once more, this people.
The
spirit of Amalek still infects the thoughts and minds of
modern day Hamans, such as Hitler and others who will again
try to annihilate the Jewish people..
Mordechai,
who is the antidote for Haman, will not bow before his
threat and will keep his faith in the same way that his ancestor
BenYamin, from whose tribe he is issued, while still in
his mother's womb, wouldn't bow before Esav. (See our Parasha
Vayishlach)
The
Temple will be built on BenYamin's territory and he will
never leave the royal tribe of Yehuda, even in exile.
In
the Meguillat Esther, the Name of G-d
is never mentioned.
The
word meguilla, scroll in Hebrew, comes from the word "to
reveal" and the name Esther,
אסתר
who's
real name was Hadasa, comes from the root "to hide, to veil".
The book of Esther reveals to us the hidden face of G-d
and his quiet but sure intervention for His people.
>From
this comes the custom to "get costumed," or to hide, at Purim;
this interpretation goes all the way back to the desert where
G-d
announced to His people that He would hide Himself from them because
of their sins. The word "hiding" has the same root as the name
Esther:
But
I will be hiding, astir, אסתיר
my face from them because of all the evil they will have done
in turning to other gods. Deuteronomy
31:18
The
feast of Purim reminds us that "chance" doesn't exist, that G-d
is faithful and that He will never forsake His people. His enemies
will be destroyed and He will unveil Himself at the end time to
the whole world and they will recognize Him and will bow in front
of the King of kings and the Lord of lords! Amen!
And I will no longer hide, astir my face from them, for
I have poured out my Spirit on the house of Isra'el, 'says
ADONAI ELOHIM" Ezekiel 39:29
Celebration
of the feast:
Purim
starts on the 14th of Adar, which this year begins on:
Tuesday evening the 13
th
until Wednesady evening14th
The
Fast of Esther:
A
day before the Feast, there is a day of fast to remind us of Esther's
intercession.
Reading
of the Meguilla :
Everyone
must hear the reading of the book of Esther, adults and children
alike.
Half
Shekel:
We
are accustomed to give three coins (half dollar) for the poor
to remind us of the half shekel offered by each Jew to the Temple.
Costuming
and gifts:
We
are also accustomed to wearing costumes and to send each other
mishloach manot, gifts with cookies and sweets. In Israel,
the neighbors bring to each other plates with sweets and blessings
and the children eat delicious cookies called "Haman's
ears" in the shape of little triangles.
When
the Meguilla is read, the children shake rattles and stamp
their feet to make noise each time the name of Haman is
mentioned.
Communities
and families will have a big meal, for this is a time of celebration
and an opportunity to rejoice with everybody because the whole
community was saved all together.
Many
joyful songs are sung and custom says that we are to drink wine
until mixing the names of Haman and Mordechai, but
of course this is not to be taken literally!
Many
complementary activities and information is available for children
on the following link:
http://www.aish.com/holidays/Purim/default.asp
We
wish you a happy Feast of Purim and may soon the memory
of Amalek be erased so that our joy may be full!
Chag
Sameach!
חג שמח
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are
from the Complete Jewish Bible Copyright © 1998-2004 by David.H.Stern.
Published by Jewish New testament Publications.inc. www.messianicjewish.net/jntp
Distributed by Messianic Jewish Resources International. All rights
reserved. Uses by permission.
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