I AM A JEW

   The story of Purim that will be read this Wednesday night in our synagogue has many intriguing ideas  and most important that it speaks to the modern Jew as well. As we review the  story permit me to focus on the role that Mordechai played in the saving and salvation of the Jewish People.

   Mordechai was approached by the evil Haman who wished to break his spirit by forcing Mordechai to bow down to him and in this way accept his idolatrous practices. As we know Mordechai refused and made a strong statement as to his Judaic belief in the One G-D. He did so with a simple but a truly profound statement  “I am a Jew,” which Rabbi Alshich explained meant that he was of distinguished lineage, one of the exiled officials of Judah. The other officials of the king’s court were incensed by his arrogance. Mordechai was in effect proclaiming himself superior to these mighty and influential barons, claiming he was a prince of G-d. They thereupon reported Mordechai’s comments to Haman.  Mordechai stood his ground and refused to bow down and be subservient to this despot. 

   Why was Mordechai so determined in his ways? The reason is indeed understandable because Mordechai was concerned that the Jewish people had reached the point of complete despair. The feast tendered by Achashvarosh, with which Megillas Esther opens, was according to rabbinic tradition an occasion when the sacred utensils of the Holy Temple were profaned. Achashvarosh wished to impart the unmistakable message that there was no hope of an imminent redemption of the Jews. One can only imagine how demoralized and forlorn our ancestors must have felt under those circumstances. This sense of despair, if left unchecked, could have resulted in wholesale forsaking of our traditions. The Jewish people were thus sorely in need of a strong demonstration of Jewish pride and self-respect. That was Mordechai’s rationale behind his statement to his colleagues: I am a proud member of the Chosen People,"I am a Jew".

       Our Rebbe, Rabbi Dr. Joseph B. Soloveitchik tz’l notes: “Purim is a day of introspection and prayerful meditation. Megillas Esther is both a Book of Thanksgiving and a Book of Distress and Petition. The narrative relates two stories, of a people in a terrifying predicament and also of their great exhilaration at their sudden deliverance.”

    Perhaps, in this light, we can understand the comment of the Talmudic sage Rava, that the Jewish people קימו וקבלו, recommitted themselves to Torah observance after the Purim miracle. The Jewish people demonstrated a new-found sense of inner strength and self-worth that was manifest in a renewed commitment to Jewish identity. Along with the revelry, Purim affords us the opportunity to experience a renewed sense of devotion of our sacred traditions.

    May this Purim awaken in all of us  greater sense of loyalty and commitment to Judaism and may we begin  to emulate the exemplary ways of Mordechai and Esther and declare proudly  “I am a Jew”

  Wishing everyone and enjoyable and inspired Purim.