Today's date and time:

Sermon for Sidra Tetzavah – Purim
March 2009
by Rabbi Geoffrey Hyman

Purim celebrates the narrow escape from annihilation of our people who lived within the vast Persian Empire. The salvation came about through a joint effort – so to speak, between Man and G-d.

The human element was a dramatic display of a long list, of what we often refer to as “coincidences.” Among them, Esther being in the right place at the right time, Mordechai saving King Achashverosh’s life by overhearing a plot to kill him, and the wicked Haman through his sheer arrogance making many vital “mistakes!” The end result was that the Jews were able to fight back against the anti-Semites – which resulted in the death of 75,800 anti-Semites.

With the reading of the Megillah and the Purim celebrations, coupled with today’s reading of Parshat Zachor we remember only too well – and let’s face it at the moment we can’t forget, how vulnerable we are as Jews to the real threat “Nisht Da Gedacht” of anti-Semitism.

Let me share with you a powerful message from the Megillah. In this week’s Daf Hashavua, Rabbi Davis, of Chigwell Shul, presents a short essay based on a lecture of Rabbi Aaron Lichtenstein of Yeshivat Har Etzion. The essay attempts to resolve the problem as to why Esther had a change of heart. For in the beginning when Mordechai asked Esther to appeal to King Achashverosh to repeal the decree against the Jewish people, she refused. But later she did go and plead for mercy for her people. So what caused her to change her mind? Whilst Rabbi Davis presents Rabbi Lichtenstein’s answer, I would just like to add the following. The crucial verses to look at are in chapter 4 verses 13 and 14. In these verses he tells Esther in no uncertain terms that if she thinks her silence will save her in the king’s palace, she is mistaken for she will perish together with her father’s house, whilst the Jews in the end will be saved from some other place ( Mimokom Acher – a reference to G-d). The use of the Hebrew: “Im Hacharesh tachrishi” – carries a powerful meaning, it means more than just silence, for it is derived from the noun cheresh which means a deaf person; hence, Mordechai rebukes Esther for her silence with these harsh words: “If you remain deaf at this time” then you will be the one to perish. To this he added that maybe it was no coincidence that she was chosen as queen – maybe it was for the very purpose to save her people! The rebuke did not fall on deaf ears – she understood and immediately reacted that she would go and risk her life and appeal for her people, asking Mordechai to arrange a public fast for three days.

We are living in the “days” of when once again the ugly cruel face of “Haman” and Amalek is visible in society across the globe. This we have seen in recent months with the horrific condemnations of Israel and the Jewish people. Yet there are Jews who are “Chereshim” – who are deaf to the threats and side with the enemies criticising Israel through the press and holding demonstrations. Do they think their skins will be saved if nisht do gedacht there is persecution? Will they be protected by these ant-Semites? “Im hacharesh tachrishi” – we must never ever remain deaf to the threat of persection – wherever it is. Hatred must be fought!

But let me add – that whilst we must do everything in our power to fight it – and we are grateful to our Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and the Government for their support – let us not forget our even more powerful ally, G-d – (Mimokom Acher – as referred to in the Megillah). For we were promised, if we call to Him out of the depths of our souls, then He will hear our voice, just as our ancestors called out to G-d in Egypt and He saved them. And so it was in the battle against Amalek. And so it was in the Purim story. And so it has been throughout Jewish history.

Let us celebrate Purim in true rejoicing and observance, and draw from its great inspiration.

May G-d who redeemed us from hatred in the past, grant us true salvation - to our people and indeed to the whole of humanity – speedily in our days. Amen.