PEACE AND HARMONY

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

   With this quote in mind, I began to search for a word that would aptly describe our society and our confused world. I came across an article written many years ago by Rav Simon Schwab זל, who, in his similar search, came up with the word “uncertainty“. These are truly uncertaintimes. Gone is the sense of security which the established order seemed to offer. Most of the proven values and norms seem to have become worn out.  The beautiful slogans are exhausted, the lofty ideals deflated and the pious phrases have wilted away. I sense, sorrowfully, that our sense of security that we were nurtured with, especially the “American dream,” has vanished into thin air. Why, I be-cry, has this dream turned into a nightmare, where violence and a lack of respect is dominating our way of life? We are seeing our modern man media incessantly attacking our senses. Our lives are being lived with more uncertainty and immense high tension on a daily basis. 

   Looking back on these few weeks, where so many have been held responsible for their terrible actions, we come to a terrifying conclusion. As a culture, we have divested ourselves of shame. We no longer apologize for our irreverent actions and nor to admit our wrong doing, let alone express deep shame over our behavior. This divestiture has brought to the fore a rampant erosion of decency, especially in the more obvious expression of Anti Semitism, and venom against the State of Israel. 

   With these perplexing thoughts in mind, I am reminded of the teachings of theRambam, who explains that Chazal enacted the Mitzvah of reading the Megillah, in order, to proclaim the praise of Hashem and the salvation which He orchestrated and to attest to the fact that G-D responds to the prayers of the Jewish People. In fact, says the Rambam, “In face of adversity we call out to Hashem and the salvation comes Kheref Ayin, like the blink of an eye.” The Megillah is a testament to the special relationship that connects the Jew to G-D. The significance is that Hashem always responded and will continue to respond to our cries of affliction and to all our needs.

   The purpose of reading the Megillah is to accentuate the transition from fear and despondency to hope and joy. Though we may find ourselves in some dire circumstances, we will experience instant salvation.

   Purim is our lesson for life, for it celebrates the metamorphosis from disaster to peace and harmony.

   Our celebration of Purim, today, more than ever, carries the message of, מיגון לשמחה that our future will be bright, when we put our trust in G-D, and with those who act with decency and empathy to others. 

   In spite of the many  trepidations I have, I still maintain a strong optimistic view of our society. I realize that each of us comes into this world as a gift with a purpose.  Our task is to discover this gift and to pursue our goals to successfully reach our Tafkid in life, bringing about a life of Kiddush Hashemand a life of true Humanity.

   This gift of life remains with us and we are enjoined, to give this gift to others. How, you may ask? By lending to others what has been lent to us, and to do so the right way, the way of compassion, the way of service, the way of caring and the way of life.

   This is what Purim is all about; to be inspired by the story in the Megillah, and to act with Humanity, with the gifts of משלוח מנות and מתנות לאביונים , bringing us closer to the fulfillment of בצלם אלוקים ברא את האדם.

   May we be Blessed with the Prayer of, ליהודים היתה אורה ושמחה וששון, in our time.