Rabbi's Desk

Costumes are being decided and organized this week as we prepare to partake in the festivities at our synagogue and elsewhere and to celebrate the miracles that saved the Jewish people of the Purim story.

Purim is not the first or, sadly, the last example of an unwarranted turning of the tides of popular opinion against the Jewish people. Indeed one need not look far to see antisemitism thriving overtly or simmering beneath the surface, even in modern enlightened times. From the unfair treatment of Israel in United Nations discussions, to the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions movement which accuses Israel of discrimination and worse while ignoring far more disturbing offenses in other nations, to countries and organizations who openly call for the complete and utter destruction of the only Jewish state. One wonders how rational educated folk can be swayed by the irrational racist ideology that is antisemitism.

The Megillah describes how Haman presented his plan to eradicate the Jews to the King. Rather than saying, “I really dislike those Jews, we should kill them!” Haman pitched his plan to the monarch as being in the interest of the realm and the kings own personal interest. Coincidentally, Haman’s pitch to the king, which is recorded carefully in the Megillah, neglects to identify who are the supposed traitors to the kingdom.

“There is a certain people scattered among the people of all the provinces of your realm. Their laws are different. They don’t observe the Kings laws. it is not befitting the King to tolerate them.” (Esther 3:9)

The King was so manipulated that in the very next verses he grants Haman blanket permission to do away with these unnamed and unknown people however he felt appropriate. The King didn’t even ask who these people were or how they were disloyal, for whatever political or psychological reasons. Haman cleverly didn’t identify who the people [Jews] were, rather he described them as distant, anonymous and unknown. King Achashverosh was misled into believing that his decision was not going to hurt anyone and would bring him more favor from the people and more devotion from his closest advisors. Only when his Jewish bride, Esther, outed herself as a Jewess and the anonymous people Haman sought to eradicate became known, Achashverosh saw how wrong the decided policies were and made a miraculous correction that we remember every year in joy and thanksgiving.

Purim is also a warning that the circumstances which led to the near destruction of our people bayamim hahem (in those days) are as likely to recur bazman hazeh (in our times), just the same. This week, we will read Parashat Zachor which recalls another evil group (Amalek) that desired only our destruction, long before the time of Haman. We read that story every year at this time to remember that we must stand up to hate or become complicit in the hateful acts of others.

That is why I look forward to attending the AIPAC Policy Conference every year. It is a gathering of 18,000 people who come together to express their support of Israel and her stalwart bond with the United States of America. I admire AIPAC because its leaders and supporters recognize that the values our countries share are above and beyond politics and political parties. Volunteers, under AIPAC, make sure that all politicians and government officials are informed about what Israel stands for and why supporters of Israel and the US are so diverse and unapologetic. 

With God’s help, we can work to build strong relationships with our leaders and their advisors, opening their eyes to the parter we have in the Middle East who shares our ideals of freedom, democracy, justice and compassion.

I hope to see you at AIPAC Policy Conference! Wishing you and your family Shabbat Shalom and a very HAPPY PURIM!

Rabbi Steven Suson