What is Purim?

In a few weeks many Jews will celebrate a holiday called Purim.  The Hebrew word “Pur” refers to lots cast by Haman in the Biblical Book of Esther to determine on which day he would kill all the Jews in the Persian kingdom.  The story goes on to describe how because of the actions of Mordechai and Esther, Haman’s plans are disrupted.  Specifically, on the day he had planned to have the Jews killed, he himself meets his demise. 

Why was the Book of Esther, a book which never mentions God, included in the Bible?  Of course, there are many interpretations.  But, it strikes me that the intent was to emphasize how an attempt to kill Jews was avoided by human courage, to encourage us all to resist evil and to not be indifferent. 

All of us will encounter situations in our lives where we could speak up or do something to oppose what is wrong. As is said in the Esther story, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance may rise . . . from another place.  And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Esther was Esther because she was not indifferent.  Mordechai was Mordechai because he was not indifferent.  As Purim approaches, wherever we live let us not remain silent but do what we can do, what we must do, to stop the craziness.