RABBI'S THOUGHTS:  Purim

According to Jewish Law, if a person reads the Megilla (the Purim Story) backwards, they have not fulfilled their obligation. The Baal Shem Tov the founder of Chassidism, explains that anyone who reads the Megilla backwards - i.e. as if it is only a history book, something from the past, has not fulfilled their duty. Like all parts of the Torah, the Megilla is relevant to every time and every place. What is the lesson of the Megilla? Haman's claim against the Jews was that "there is one people which, although scattered among the peoples of the world… their laws are different from those of other peoples."  Despite being dispersed throughout the world, the Jewish people always have, and will continue to, preserve our distinctive identity through maintaining our traditions and our own laws. Haman used this argument against us, yet it is this very quality which has worked in our favour, allowing us to survive. Additionally, as we are starting to witness in our own generation, we secure our position in society not by avoiding and hiding our Jewish identity, but rather by maintaining our unique heritage and even sharing it with others. There is an unprecedented interest today in all things Jewish in both Jewish and non-Jewish circles.

The starting point is, of course, the children. It says in the Midrash that when Mordechai heard of Haman's wicked plan, he gathered children together and began educating them. Through education of our children, we guarantee our continuity. The Midrash tells us that when the Torah was given at Mount Sinai, the people vowed that "the children will be our guarantors". When Mordechai taught the children at Purim time, he was realising this promise - that through children's education, that 'guarantee' becomes a reality.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim