The Jewish holiday of Purim is fast approaching!

It will be celebrated from the evening of March 16 and all day on March 17.

Purim is the celebration of the miraculous saving of the Jewish People in the Persian Empire of Antiquity.

According to the story of Purim in the Biblical book of Esther, the evil man Haman had plotted “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day.“ (Esther 3:13 )

The Hebrew name “Purim” actually means “lots” in the ancient Persian language.

The holiday receives its Hebrew name “Purim” as Haman had tossed “lots” (as in a lottery) to decide the day when he would have his evil scheme take place.

In the Hebrew Calendar this day is traditionally the 13th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, which this year falls on the eve of March 16 and continues till sunset on March 17.

Haman is remembered each Purim when we read the “Megillah,” the Book of Esther, in synagogue from year to year.  Again this year, as in 2021, I shall stream the Purim Service as our beautiful Temple Sinai on Hodges Street is still in restoration following Hurricanes Laura and Delta in August and October 2020.  You are welcome to join us at temple-sinai.tv. Our Service for Purim will be Wednesday, March 16, 6 p.m.

Be sure to have a “Grogger” or “Noisemaker” handy as we make tons of NOISE each time we recite the name HAMAN!  The usual Grogger is a wooden toy that is spun round and round and makes a huge annoying noise!!!

The story tells us that Mordecai, cousin of Esther, refused to bow down before Haman. This is why Haman became so enraged that he decided to destroy all the Jewish People in the Kingdom.  The accusation of Haman  against the Jews has really become the Pattern even now for much of modern anti-semitism: “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples … their laws are different from those of other people, they do not obey the king’s law, and the king should not tolerate them.” ( Esther 3:8 )

It was only because of the courage of Mordecai and Esther that the calamity against the Jewish People was avoided.

Of great interest is the fact that the Hebrew word  for “G-d” appears nowhere in the Book of Esther.

I believe that as in so very many aspects of life, we might not sense the Divine Presence, but it is always with us! Unseen, unnoticed, but consistently guiding, blessing and sustaining us.

Purim come this year to inspire all of us as we behold the Invasion of Ukraine unfolding before our eyes 24/7.  We see it on our phones, our computers, and of course on our tv’s.

We shudder at the death, destruction and suffering of all Ukraine. And yet, perhaps Volodymyr Zelensky, Jewish President of Ukraine, is our modern-day Mordecai!

His incredible courage, persistence and personal bravery in remaining in Kyiv is surely like Mordecai thousands of years ago!

We know that anti-semitism has become so very alarming in our own day. The attacks on synagogues in our land as around the world give evidence that hatred of Jewish people is still persists and is so virulent. Not only are Jewish institutions subject to such hatred, but other religious places and communities are under siege in America and elsewhere.

Still, despite thousands of years of anti-semitism, despite the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Holocaust, our Jewish People continues to thrive in America, Israel and around the world.  Just as in Esther, we are here because of the Divine Will and Protection of G-d, Source of Life, Goodness and Love.

Surely all of us join in prayer that the triumph of the Jewish People of ancient Persia against evil Haman will come alive even today for all those clinging to life in modern Ukraine.

Rabbi Barry Weinstein

Lake Charles