Rabbi Howard Morrison

Tonight, we will celebrate Purim. Should our celebration be tempered because of October 7 and its aftermath? I think not. Just as we celebrated Simchat Torah in full when the horrors were first revealed, we need to also celebrate Purim in full. After all, the story of Purim and Hamas is really one and the same - a despot intends to wipe out every single Jew. It is perhaps more than ironic that the spelling of and evil of HAMAN is almost identical to the spelling of and evil of HAMAS. 

Tonight, when we make the noise centered around hearing Haman, the nose is not merely a relic of eras past. The noise is a real noise of anger, concern, fear, exclamation, and affirmation. I suggest that each time we hear or say Haman tonight or tomorrow, we must read the name Hamas into the name of Haman.

With the equation of Hamas and Haman in mind, we need to be modern day Esthers and Mordecais. Whether cousins or uncle/niece, the two heroes represent the unity of two different kinds of Jews. Mordecai represents the traditional religious God-fearing Jew. He refused to bow before Haman on religious grounds. Esther appears to have been a more secular Jew of her time, at first needing to be persuaded by Mordecai. Nevertheless, soon enough, she learns the lesson that Haman's plans do not distinguish one Jew from another. Every Jew is in the same boat. Esther comes to understand this lesson.

I have read that some liberal synagogues will be omitting chapter 9, the chapter after Mordecai and the Jews are saved, and Haman and his immediate followers are slain. In chapter 9, we read how the Persian Jews went on to kill 75,000 Persians. Some Jews today, especially given what is taking place, are morally troubled to read such a chapter. I disagree! If so, let's cancel the entire book. Let's take the book of Esther out of the Bible. We should all understand that the book of Esther is to be read as historical fiction. While based on true events, the story expands and exaggerates. It is kind of like a movie when the introduction says "inspired by true events."

The fact of the matter is there is no historical record at all of the Jews killing 75,000 Persians. That does not mean our people did not think about revenge in a large graphic way. However, to think revenge and to act revenge are two different things. Jews are not allowed to exact revenge on the innocent, even when we must eradicate evil so that it does not repeat itself.

Just imagine if a single rocket fell over the GTA taking out 1200 people, or whatever number you wish to imagine. Wouldn't you and your government do whatever would be necessary to prevent a single rocket from being launched again? Such a response is not about murdering innocent civilians at all. Now imagine a place like Israel which has suffered from the launching of thousands upon thousands of rockets hurled indiscriminately. What would you do? Would you equivocate like some leaders are doing now???

We need all Jews and as many non-Jews as possible to understand that the evil of Amalek, Haman, Hitler, and Hamas must be uprooted from their core.

We need all Jews and as many non-Jews as possible to emulate the will and resolve of Esther and Mordecai, and not placate to the politics of evil.

We need as many as possible to come to shul tonight, with costume and noisemaker, to celebrate the fullness of Purim with all its joy and chaos.

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Purim Sameach,
Rabbi Howard Morrison