Ben Zoma says, “Who is wealthy? Someone who takes pleasure
in what he has.” Ethics of Our Fathers 4:11
Thankfully, the holiday of Purim has its own book amongst the
Writings, called the Scroll of Esther, that explains the entire
historical event we’re celebrating, and gives us an understanding
of the meaning behind the holiday. In this book, an annual party
is instituted for future generations. All other holidays have
a special meal to celebrate them. Purim has a full-blown party.
Why are we taking food and drink to an extreme on this day? Because
Purim is a symbol of the enjoyment of blessings.
It is not only a celebration, but the party itself also restores
a blemish in our relationship with God. In what way did we damage
our relationship with the Almighty? The Purim story begins with
an ostentatious party King Achashverosh had in order to show off
his wealth. The gold goblets and pouring of wine, expensive food
to excess were all the gaudiest exhibitions of wealth you could
possibly imagine. Everyone was obligated to come to the party,
and the Jews were no exception. Of course the food for the Jews
was Glatt Kosher Mehadrin. Only one man had the insight and the
guts to not show up – Mordechai. He tried to convince his
fellow Jews to send in a regret RSVP card, but they wouldn’t
listen.
In order to understand Mordechai’s concern, we have to
know a metaphysical point regarding blessings, that it’s
difficult sometimes to use a blessing properly. It is designed
in our spiritual make-up that we have tests, and one of the most
important tests of life is the challenge of receiving a blessing.
Rich or poor, strong or weak, wise or foolish, every individual
has more of something than someone else. We need to take God’s
gifts and use them properly. This was part of the test in the
Garden of Eden, and it’s part of every person’s challenges
in life.
For a while, my four-year-old daughter who takes ballet lessons,
was also being treated to lunch by my wife on ballet day. My daughter
seemed to appreciate the extra attention and time with my wife.
It disturbed me, however, when I overheard my daughter bragging
to her sisters, “I get to go out for lunch every week with
Momma and you don’t.” She was misusing her blessing.
Unfortunately, we do this as adults also. God is a loving parent
showering us with blessings. He wants us to enjoy them, not flaunt
them. The Torah forbids envy and jealousy. Why should we encourage
anyone else to violate that commandment?
As noted by many, the word Esther means to hide. There are many
elements of hiddenness surrounding Purim. They serve to remind
us not to flaunt or show off our blessings. Fish, the symbol of
the Hebrew month of Adar, are a symbol of protection from the
“evil eye”, jealousy, because they are hidden from
our sight under the water. When you show off a blessing you run
the risk of inviting jealousy and negative feelings towards you.
A specific way we combat jealousy on Purim is to give gifts to
our friends and to the poor. By sharing our blessings we are using
the blessings to do mitzvos. It’s not only a mitzvah in
its own right, but sharing a blessing is the greatest protection
against jealousy also.
Therefore the party of Achashverosh was a huge orgy of indulgence
that ran opposite to one of the most important principles in the
Torah. No matter how kosher the food was, no Jew should have set
foot at that party. A Purim party is done as reparation for the
original mistake of going to Achashverosh’s party. Now,
every year we get together and celebrate our relationship with
the Almighty with food and drink, song and praise for all our
blessings physical and spiritual.
Enjoy your blessings.
Share your blessings with others.
And then expect to receive even more.
Happy Purim,
Rabbi Max Weiman
Membership to the Kabbalah Made Easy is $36. Please
go to the Donation page.
|
