Purim Celebrates Victory for the Jewish People
Purim is upon us. It is good to discuss a little about this beloved holiday. On Purim it is customary to read the Book of Esther, which is the story of Queen Esther, her uncle Mordecai, the villain Haman and the King of the Persian Empire, Achashverosh. It is a short, but complex tale of power, loyalty, treachery, intrigue and triumph of good over evil. Amazingly, although the Jewish people are saved from destruction in what can only be described as a miraculous way, there is no mention of G-d at all in the story. Just as we wear masks and costumes on Purim, so to G-d is masked in the Purim story by the actions of the characters through which the miracle is achieved. When the Scroll of Esther is read in the synagogue, the name of the evil villain of the story, Haman, is drowned out by the roar of the people listening to the reading, with yelps, screams, boos, shouts and grogers, (noisemakers) so as to further rejoice in the triumph of the Jewish nation over their enemies.
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Rabbi Milton Balkany - Community Leader & Jewish Educator 
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