Purim is not the Jewish Halloween!

As close as I can tell, if a movie was made about the Book of Esther and the plot against the Jews, there would be a disclaimer at the beginning of the film, "this story is a fictionalized version of actual facts."

I’m listening to the third ‘lecture’ on the Book of Esther, heard the megillah (the whole story) read twice, read the ‘book’ (can’t wait for the movie), and saw the story performed as “Esther on the High Seas”, aye!!, and I've got to tell you, sometimes less really is more.

I have heard commentaries delving into the meanings of each action, and the character of each character and why they did what and to whom and when and who was disconnected,  and maybe there were several books combined into one,  and, wait, there were no walled cities at the time? and why you should really get drunk (there was actually a flyer here on campus for an event up the street to get drunk before the party)…and even without the alcohol, I must admit my head is spinning just a little.

Maybe it would be more accurate to see it as a metaphor for our faith lives; could the book of Esther really be a metaphor for the way we interact with God?

Some of us are bold, some timid.  Some hide our faith, some brandish it.  Some among us are despots, others toadies who profit because our powerful bosses or corporations or leaders are distracted by the lusts of life and leave us to our own evil devices to behave as we like to get what we want. Some of us are just doing our best to be kind and just and faithful.

Like the Book of James, referred to by some as the “Christian Manual of Operation” with no mention of Jesus, the book of Esther, an exciting tale of Girl Power, heroism and victory over evil, doesn't mention God, or Heaven or Hell, main points I might argue, the point of the Bible.  But like a good bedtime story, or an award winning movie, it has all the essential elements of a great, edge of your seat adventure! Including a happy ending.

So is the story included to make us think deeper about how we interact with God and how we represent him to the rest of the world?  Smarter people than I will have to tell you for sure.  Or maybe you’ll just have to decide for yourselves.

What I do know, is this is not about Carnival, or Halloween, or getting drunk.  It’s about our response to God, and his to us.

Today, as with all holidays, there are traditions.  Hearing the megillah, the story, twice, on Purim night and again on Purim day, booing at the name of Haman (and maybe cheering for Mordecai depending on what your Rabbi says)  Giving money or food to at least two needy individuals and giving food gifts to friends.  A big feast with friends, and food and drink!  Special prayers that include the Purim Story and thanks to God for "miracles, redemption, mighty deeds, saving acts and wonders"

So why costumes? One Rabbi suggested they imply the concealment of the posers that play out in the story, or that they are an allusion disguising God's hand in the miracle which looked like natural events, another that they represent the way we hide from God, or each other, and another suggested it was the way the Jews hid from the evil, were sublimated into the culture, and did not stand against it…I don’t know, maybe a little of each.

The costumes and the customs point to the Faithfulness of God and the reality that his children sometimes forget themselves and try to go it on their own.

The best part of Purim for me?  The kids, but I bet you guessed that!

 

 


 

 

And maybe the treats too,  a little.