Joyous In Our Self 💙

Next weekend, some of us will be celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim. Purim for some Jewish American kids (or at least mine), is the Jewish version of Halloween, if you don’t want to get too deep into the details as of why we dress up in different costumes.

But let us dive deep into the details….cuz it is NOT Halloween (sorry kiddos).

Some 2,300 years ago, the first attempt on genocide of all Jewish people was taking place.

The story takes place in where we would call Persia today, and centers around Haman, King’ Achasheverosh’s right hand, and his plot to kill all Jewish people in the empire. His plan, will later be incited by the failure of one single Jew, Mordechai, who would refuse to bow before him as he passed by.

Not satisfied with simply punishing Mordechai alone, Haman saw it fit to kill his entire people.

After a roll of the dice (hence the name Purim, meaning “lots” in ancient Persian, referring to the lots Haman cast to select the date of the genocide) Haman chose a day to put the Jews to death after getting permission from the king. This would be a joyous moment for Haman, as not only will the Jews all die, but their so called Mighty G-d will be put to mockery as “he” stands by, helpless.

Not too fast Haman…..GD works in mysterious ways, remember????

Just so happens, that around the same time, the king grew deeply frustrated with his current queen Vashti and declared a big ball, to select a bride to become his new queen.

Mordechai had found this to be the opportunity to save his people and himself; his beautiful niece, Esther, will be the next queen.

Esther will go undercover, hiding her Jewish identity (hence the dressing up and hiding….) and make sure to become the ONE!!!  And so she did!!!

Esther will soon become the new queen and one the king will adore and listen to.

A little while before, Mordechai’s name was recorded in the King’s book of good deeds, as the one who had saved him from an assassination plot two of his assistants planned to execute. Mordechai reported this right away, saving the king.

The king then promised for his name to be recorded in that book, to one day, be rewarded in some special way!!!

It just so happens, that on the night that Haman had gone to ask the king to finally execute Mordechai for his rebellious disrespect, the king couldn’t fall asleep and asked to look in his book of good deeds.

He had opened the book exactly on that page-  Mordechai’s name written as the man who saved the king and has yet to be rewarded.

The king then asked Haman, how would he reward a man who had saved his life and his kingdom, and Haman, thinking this reward is about him, answered, he should be presented to all in a royal parade!!!

And so, the man Haman was looking to hang, was the man he carried around town, in royal clothes, on a royal horse, and an honorary member to the king himself!!

The Jewish people were all then saved followed Esther plea as well, and Haman was the one who was hanging from the same pole he had prepared for Mordechai.

There is so much significance in the story of Purim, and I think, much relevance, unfortunately.

Many of us Jews around the world, are hiding some or all parts of ourselves to keep safe.  Jewish students around US campuses are genuinely afraid. Parents in Europe, are asking their kids NOT to speak Hebrew while in an uber.  Jewish professors are being canceled in many conferences for reason of “their safety”; as well as concerts being canceled. Most recently, in Chicago’s beloved House of Blues, Matisyahu, a musician who has always been about peace, unity, light and joy, while indeed being a proud Jew in both physical presentation as well as his lyrics, was cancelled!

Esther had to hide her true identity and religion and all these years later, we are doing this again?????

We work so hard as a society for every human to be self determined and not having to hide who they are- not based on gender, sexual orientation, age, race, religion etc…..and now we are canceling Jewish voices in the name of RESISTANCE???????

But the Jewish Month of Adar is all about JOY!!!  It is one of the commands to be joyful during this month and I’m here to remind you, yet again- CLAIM WHO YOU ARE, not matter what, who, when, how, why……you came here to be who you are and it will be your only way to align with your calling. DO NOT HIDE!!!!  Turn your volume up, be proud and find joy in like minded people,  believe that truth always win and trust that always and forever, the UNIVERSE KNOWS WHAT IT IS DOING!!!!!

In the attempt to find more joy, I took a long walk today, enjoying a podcast By Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown :  Does God feel Pestered By Humanity, with Matisyahu, and I cannot recommend it more if you need a LIFT- link below: