Existential Threats Reunite a Divided Nation, Then and Now

The Purim story begins after the Holy Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed and Iran, then called Persia, was the most powerful country in the region. According to the Scroll of Esther, the Jews were “scattered and divided amongst the nations.” They were not giving proper honor to their leader Mordechai. They had strayed from their connection to God, having lost their sense of self as a nation, happy to integrate with other nations and to eat, drink and celebrate with them. They had forgotten their essential selves.

Then an evil enemy named Haman arose to destroy them. His hatred for Mordechai and the Jewish people was so great that it gave him no rest. His desire for Mordechai’s death was greater even than his desire for his own well-being. Nothing in life could be sweet as long as Mordechai was alive. The existence of the Jewish people was intolerable to him. In cahoots with the king, Haman plotted a massacre.

The Jews suddenly discovered that the world who had seemed so happy to celebrate with them were even happier to kill them.

In the face of the enemy’s intense hatred, the Jews were reminded that they were one nation, alone. They suddenly discovered that the world who had seemed so happy to celebrate with them were even happier to kill them.

In response to this existential threat, the Jewish people reunited. Mordechai called upon Queen Esther, a young woman who had been forcibly taken from her home, living as a wife held hostage in the evil king’s palace, to sacrifice herself for the salvation of the Jews. Esther, a closeted Jew, accepted the mission to approach the king despite not being summoned, a crime punishable by death, to plead for her nation. Her call for the nation to pray for her was resoundingly answered. The Jews reaccepted Mordechai’s leadership. They committed themselves once again to God. They fasted, they repented, they prayed.

There was a miraculous upheaval and Haman’s fortune was overturned. The enemy of the Jews was killed. The king then sent out a letter allowing the Jews to defend themselves without sanction or attack from outside forces. The Jewish nation fought and won. Mordechai and Esther were raised high and the nations of the world were impressed by the Jewish people’s special connection to God.

Nowhere in the Scroll of Esther is the name of God explicitly mentioned because God’s face was hidden. It was hard to feel His hand guiding events as they unfolded. Only later, once everything concluded, were people able to see that God had been there all along, orchestrating everything that happened.

I can’t help but see the parallels with current events. The Jewish people today are being persecuted by an enemy who wants our death more than he wants his own life. Jewish daughters and sons are being held hostage by the enemy. Jews everywhere are seeing how quickly their erstwhile friends have turned on them. The scattered, divided nation has reunited. Around the world Jews have gathered in heartfelt prayer, deepening their Jewish connection. And many young Jews have heroically put their lives on the line to protect the nation.

Purim is coming – the one day of the year when we are allowed – no, encouraged – to make demands on our King. This is the day God has promised that everyone who asks will be answered; no one will be turned away empty handed.

So I put forth my request:

God, it has been too much and it has lasted too long. We want our people back. Daughters, sons, husbands, grandfathers, babies – we want them all back. We want our dignity back. We want our soldiers safe. We want our wounded healed. We want our mourners comforted. We want our dead brought back to life. We want sovereignty in our land. We want safety from our enemies. We want our enemies brought low and our nation raised high. We want the world to see us and to know how much You love us. We want to feel your love. We want to love each other. We want a day of miracles. We want laughter and joy. We want friendship and love. We want connection to one another and to You, our God.

We want to see and feel the light. We want to be the light.

Today is Purim and You have promised to answer.