The holiday of Purim is connected to three ideas: shleimut haam (the complete Jewish people); shleimut haTorah (the complete Torah); and shleimut haaretz (the complete Land of Israel). The complete Jewish people means the recognition that we are one nation. Hamans decree was directed against all Jews, from young to old, men, women and children. By coming together in true unity, Hamans evil decree was nullified. The complete Torah means the whole Torah -every single part of it. In the Megila, Mordechai is referred to as Mordechai Hayehudi, Mordechai the Jew. The term Yehudi implies the rejection of idol worship. When a Jew rejects idolatry, he is declaring that the entire Torah is true. In the days of Mordechai the Jewish people were called Yehudim because they clung to the totality of Torah, every single detail, without compromise. The complete Land of Israel means that all of the Holy Land belongs to the Jewish people. The events of Purim occurred during the 70 years between the First and the Second Holy Temples. Although by that time work had already begun on the new Temple, it was interrupted by order of the Persian King. Mordechai knew that learning the laws connected to the Temple would nullify the decree to stop building. He gathered the Jewish children together and studied these laws, and his efforts were successful. The Temple was completed, and the Land of Israel was in Jewish hands. As we celebrate the holiday of Purim, let us ponder the fact that all of the Holy Land was given to every single Jew by G-d Himself. We must therefore behave in a way that makes us worthy of the name Yehudim, declaring the truth of our whole Torah, and remain strong in our faith in G-d. Doing so will win the respect of the nations and bring true peace, culminating in the Final Redemption with Moshiach, speedily in our day.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 15:26:13 +0000