An End to Evil
"Zachor" – remember. That is the name of this Shabbat that precedes Purim. On this Shabbat we remember the evil nation of Amalek and Haman (a descendant of Amalek).
And today once again we are reminded that Amalek and his spiritual descendants still exist.
I refer to the horrific terror attack last Shabbat in Itamar, Israel during which Udi and Ruth Fogel and their children Yoav (11), Elad (4), and Hadas (3 months) were brutally murdered in their home by savages. Actually, not murdered, but butchered and slaughtered in an unimaginable manner. They leave behind 12-year-old Tamar to mother her brothers Roi (8) and Yishai (2) who will recite kaddish for their parents and 3 siblings.
So what can we do about it? We’re not in the Mossad and we can’t bring the perpetrators to justice. So are we left to merely watching the news, reading the online articles and feeling sad & angry?
Let’s look at the story of Purim for some guidance:
Haman, the Hitler of his day, vowed to annihilate us. What was the response of Mordechai, the leader of Israel? How did the Jewish people react?
One would have expected Mordechai to immediately send word to his cousin Esther – the queen of Persia – to intercede on her people’s behalf. Having such a close connection to the king, would it not have made sense for Mordechai to use the greatest lobbyist possible – the first lady!? But no. Mordechai, a top government official himself, didn’t even inform Esther of Haman’s plot for a 'final solution'. Esther only learns of Haman’s plot later – on her own!
What did Mordechai do? He gathered 22,000 Jewish children. He studied Torah and prayed with them. He fasted and brought the hearts of Israel closer to their Father in heaven.
Mordechai recognized the eternal truth and the secret to our survival. Political clout and military might are secondary and insignificant compared our true source of security – our bond and connection with the Almighty, the ruler and master and of all of creation.
Even Esther herself fasted for three days before entering her husband’s chambers – not exactly the best way to look her finest and entice the heart of the king. Esther too realized that her true source of success lay not in her own beauty or physical attraction. Her commitment to G‑d would grant her success.
And so, as we stand just before Purim facing a modern offspring of Amalek, Haman, and Hitler – let us follow the Mordechai and Esther’s example. The way we can and will stop this terror is by committing more enthusiastic to G‑d, His Torah, and its mitzvahs. It works!
And in this merit we will no doubt merit to behold the words of the megillah: "for the Jews there was light, joy, gladness, and honor" – so may it be for us with the coming of Moshiach (redemption), l’chaim!
Shabbat Shalom & A Happy Purim,
Rabbi Raleigh Resnick
