B"H
Wednesday, Adar 5, 5785 / March 5, 2025
Next week, Thursday evening, March 13th and Friday, March 14, we will celebrate one of the the most joyous holiday in the Hebrew calendar – the holiday of Purim. Celebrating one of the greatest miracles in Jewish history - the miracle of Jewish survival, as recorded in the Megilat Esther.
Purim is the only holiday about which a special Megilah scroll was written, describing the details of the miracle. The Megilah was incorporated into the Holy Scriptures.
The Megilah is read twice during Purim; In the evening after the Maariv service and during the morning service. The Megilah, like the Torah, is carefully hand written on parchment by a scribe.
Q. Why is the holiday called Purim?
A. “Purim” comes from the word "pur" which means "lots." The Megilah tells us that, upon receiving permission to annihilate the Jewish people, Haman cast "lots" for the best day and month in which to execute his plan. When the lot fell on the 13th day of Adar, Haman was very pleased, for he knew that Moshe (Moses) passed away in the month of Adar.
Haman said, "Now I am sure that my plan will succeed for the leader of the Jewish people died in Adar and thus this month must be an unlucky month for the Jews." But, as our sages tell us, Haman didn't know that Moshe's birth was also in Adar and as a result it turned out to be a good month for Israel and the month of Haman's downfall.
Q. What is the meaning of the word Megilah?
A. The root of the word is Galgal or Vayagel, which means to roll. The Megilah, like the Torah, is rolled to open and close.
Q. The Megilah was written by Mordechai and Esther, yet it is called "Megilat Esther" - "Scroll of Esther" - giving the credit only to Esther?
A. Esther was the one who put her life at risk for her people. Esther’s Jewish identity, when she married King Achashveirosh, was not known, so her life was not affected by Haman's decree. Yet, she placed her life in danger to plead for her people revealing her Jewish identity. Since Esther put her life in danger more than Mordechai, the Megilah was named after her.
Another reason is that Esther (not Mordechai) was the one who insisted that the story of Purim be recorded and be added to our Holy Scriptures. Thus, although Mordechai was also involved in its writing, it was named "Megilat Esther."
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW