Dear Friends,

Some of you may remember me as the legendary Hebrew school queen of ancient Persia. Thanks, but I’m not just folklore. I’m generally sweet, charming and quiet, but beware: I talk tough when the situation is rough.

My husband, Kong Ahasuerus (did I say Kong?) liked grand lavish state dinners, while my predecessor Queen Vashti often entertained at parties. Personally, I don’t care for the royal perfumes, amenities and shampoos. I prefer to host benefit cocktail events with selected VIPs to help people at risk. I try to do what’s right, and dare to point out what’s wrong.

I’m real and my message is real, just as, unfortunately, Haman is real, and real dangerous, too. No mere Purim shpiel or playful villain, Haman is currently making blockbuster headlines around the world from my native Iran/Persia.

Personally, I could remain safe and comfortable in the palace, but I’m going out here on a limb to confront the terrible evil.

Unbelievably, those awful Haman wanabee premiers and clerics deny the horrible holocaust that killed six million of our people. Worse yet, these Hamanwanabees now aim to annihilate Israel, G-d forbid.

We need more than graggers to silence these Nuclear Hamans. Even as we celebrate Purim with joy and laughter, we must take its message of Jewish continuity seriously. More than just Hamantashen, candy and masquerading, Purim recalls great dedication and heroic sacrifice to save our people and way of life.

How history repeats itself! It’s Purim now all over again, and not just in Ahasuerus’ India-to-Ethiopia Empire. The Megillah story is highly relevant, especially now that it hits close to home, affecting Jews in Israel and abroad, indeed all civilization.

Do not allow the Megillah’s happy ending to lull us into a false sense of security. As in the original Purim, we must now act in our defense, physically, as well as spiritually. The Megillah is not an old and irrelevant once-upon-a-time story, for “Nizkarim Vnaasim, these days are always remembered and relived.”
(Esther 9)

Sisters and Brothers!
Let’s heed Mordechai’s ominous call: “Do not remain indifferent to your brethren’s plight…” There’s no time to waste or dawdle around, so let’s prepare ourselves right. Let’s act fast, and I mean fast, to overcome the challenges facing us.

Even as we pray for Divine help and guidance through diplomatic channels or military options, each of us must do our part. Purim is the perfect Haman antidote, and that’s no joke. We should all hear the Megillah, exchange Mishloach Manot food gifts, give Charity to the poor, and enjoy the Purim Dinner, and the more the merrier. As the world hangs in balance, each Mitzvah we do is a world of good that brings all mankind toward a miraculous turnaround.

“Israel’s Guardian does not sleep or slumber” (Psalms). Looking forward to Moshiach, when we’ll stand tall as skyscrapers and sit pretty on top of the world, gives us a better perspective to keep the monsters from getting out of hand.

Let us all rise to the occasion by raising our Mitzvos to higher levels, exclaiming “Purim!” from every window and shouting it from the rooftops, “For the Jews had light and happiness, joy and pride” (Esther 9). So may it be for us, speedily in our days.

Best wishes for a very happy and inspiring Purim!

Q. Esther

© 2006 Rabbi Israel Rubin