Purim is not only about 2,300 years ago

Purim has just passed and I feel compelled to write. Too many Jews take this holiday to be only a reminder of Queen Esther saving the Jews. Jews at this time of year celebrate with parties and other merry making events. The Jews of Persia, 2,300 years ago, were saved by the efforts of Hadasseh (Esther) and her uncle Mordechai. Hadasseh became Queen Esther, the wife of the Persian King Achahverosh. Esther prevailed over Haman and his followers whom planned to annihilate the Jewish exiles in Persia. Haman and his followers died at the hands of the very Jews they sought to destroy. Yes, it was a long time ago, or is it?

Throughout history, there have always been people who seek to utterly eliminate the Jewish children of Abraham. Whether it be the Jews in the Diaspora or in Israel makes no difference. Today there have been numerous debates about what the reasons Jews are leaving Judaism. I would suggest, there are many reasons Jews are leaving Judaism. Within our Jewish communities, racism, elitism,sexism, prejudice and isolationism can be found alive and doing well. Jews have immigrated to various countries and adopted their ways in order to be accepted and to gain a strong political and economic foothold. In doing so, they have become no different than their host nations. We are no longer one family under the same roof, but many families co-existing under the same roof.

The Orthodox Jews seek to convert, harass and or intimidate other non- Orthodox Jews into their interpretation of Torah, rituals and mitvots. Likewise, they wish to publicly make a statement in dress,mannerism etc., that they are the "truly observant" Jews. Conservative Jews seek to emiluate their host nation and practice their rituals and mitvots in private. They work within the power structures in the belief that they can be Jewish and European, American, White, etc.. Meanwhile, Reform Jews spend much time on analysis of Torah, The Writings and Commentaries. There is no public outreach to bring others to the faith and neither is there a concerted effort to include those who are outside of large congregations. Lastly, the Reconstruction Jews. They are a mixed bag of Jews who feel no ties to organized Judaism. Many of them having become so disillusioned with organized religion, they left to create a religion or belief that they felt comfortable with.

Judaism is not under attack, the Jewish people is. There is no single strong defense to protect us from Haman who is at our front door. Neither is there are strong backdoor defense to protect our rear from Amalek. The Christians and Islamic fundamentalists are tearing away at our front door. Meanwhile, racism, elitism,sexism, prejudice and isolationism within our Jewish communities is leaving our backdoor unprotected. We must be one people, not many. Purim is not just a holiday to celebrate our good fortune. It is a reminder that not only are there people who seek our destruction, but also, a reminder that we individually must be willing to give up our lives to save our people. I can sum the Megillah Esther in one sentence. " Love is the absence of self". Esther loved her people, she also loved her life. Yet, in order to save her people, she had to forget about herself and her fear of death. This is true of Jews today. We must downplay our various branches of Judaism and endorse one another. We can still be Reform, Orthodox, Conservative or Reconstructionist Jews. We can still observe rituals, mitsvots and interpret Torah, The Writings, etc.., as we so desire. However, we must come together because our fate is tied to one another. We cannot love the Jewish people if we are too busy loving ourselves.

Once again the gallows of Haman are being prepared. Some in Europe, the Americas, Asia and The Middle East. The Lots are being draw as I write these very words. The day and the year has not yet been chosen. But rest a assure they will be. Amalek has quietly crept into our communities and sought out our weak spots. He and his followers will wait in the shadows until the right time and attack. As I said in the beginning, it will not matter where you live. Whether in Israel or the Diaspora, our fate will be the same. Our time grows short. Purim is not only about events that occurred 2,300 years ago, but a looking glass to see the present and warn us about the future.

Micaiah Ben Malachi
Makadeh Bat Leah