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Purim began in the evening of Wednesday, March 16, 2022 and ended in the evening of Thursday, March 17.... the 14th of Adar on the Jewish calendar (every year), and ending tomorrow at sundown (in Jerusalem on Friday).
This year is leap year. We are in Adar II, the second month of the Adar. It began on Wednesday, 2 March 2022 and will end on the first of April. In a year where we have two months of Adar Purim is celebrated in the second month. Shushan Purim is celebrated on Thursday, March 17 and Shushan, due to a special request by Queen Esthér. The Jews received special dispensation from the king to continue fighting on the fourteenth—hence Shushan Purim, which is celebrated on the fifteenth of Adar. The custom was that walled cities celebrated Shushan Purim. Shushan was a walled city. So in order to commemorate the celebration of the Jews of Shushan, other walled cities celebrate Purim on the fifteenth as well. When Shushan Purim falls on Shabbat those who do observe it celebrate for 3 days -- this is called Purim Meshulash (triple Purim). 2300 years ago the Jews were in exile in Persia (Iran). An enemy arose against us and wanted to kill all the Jews. The Jews were saved by the actions of a woman named Hadassah-Esthér. The name is of biblical origin, first cited in the Scroll of Esther (2:7), “And [Mordechai] had raised Hadassah, she is Esthér..." The Talmud explains the name Hadassah: "Why was (Esthér) called Hadassah? Because the righteous are called myrtles (after myrtle trees). As it states (Zechariah 1:8), “And he was standing among the myrtles [the righteous prophets Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah].” Megillah 13a. Midrashim are stories meant to make a moral point (they aren't literal) -- and one about Hadassah-Esthér tells us "Just as a myrtle has a sweet smell and a bitter taste, so too Hadassah-Esthér was good and listened (“sweet”) to the righteous Mordechai, and was adverse (“bitter”) to the wicked Haman." So the name Hadassah reflects her righteousness. What about the more known name of Esthér? Esthér (אסתר) comes from the Hebrew word hester (הסתר), which means “hiddenness." This makes sense as Purim is called the "hidden miracle." When you think of Purim and the woman at its center, try to think of her by both names "Hadassah Esthér" because both apply to her. She was willing to sacrifice her life to save her people. Through her righteous actions she brought G‑dliness down into the physical world, where G‑dliness is concealed. Why is Purim called the "hidden miracle"? G-d is not mentioned in the book of Esthér. Yet, G-d's hand is found throughout the story. Purim epitomizes the subliminal message of G-d’s omnipresence in human affairs even when we do not see Him. . . hidden miracles are all around us every day. Haman, a high officer of the Persian Empire, an advisor to King Achashveirosh, was angered when a Jew, Mordechai, refused to bow down to him. Haman asked the king to do as he pleased against the Jews, and when he received it put into place plans to kill all the Jews. Haman cast lots to find the day upon which he and his minions would destroy the Jews. The word "purim" means lots. It is a woman who saved the Jews, through the grace of G-d. This woman, Hadassah-Esthér, had married the king -- but he did not know she was Jewish. She concealed this part of herself, and by doing so saved the Jewish nation. When Haman's edict became known Mordechai appealed to his adopted daughter -- begging her to appeal to the King in behalf of her people. "It is clear," Mordechai said, "that you were chosen as Queen so that you might be of service to your people just in such a fateful day. The time has come for you to reveal your nationality to the King, and to plead with him to save his loyal Jewish subjects, about whom the arrogant Haman has been deceiving him." Esthér agreed, asking Mordechai to have the Jewish people fast and pray on her behalf for three days, asking G-d to have mercy on the Jewish people. This is known as the fast of Esthér. During the three days of her fast, Esthér ceaselessly prayed to G-d. On the third day she approached the King. . . I will not repeat the entire tale here. Read for yourself Sefer Esthér -- found in Ketuvim in the T'nach. Be sure to visit your Synagogue on Purim and hear for yourself the Megillah being read (it is a mitzvah!). Eat a few hamentashen, dress in costume, drink a little too much alcohol (but don't drive!). Enjoy this most Jewish and happy of holidays -- the hidden miracle of Purim. And blessed be to G-d for the ongoing miracle that is the Jewish nation.
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