"Reading the Megillah at the right time is a rabbinic positive precept... and all are obligated to read it... even Kohanim busy with the Temple service stop what they are doing and come to hear the reading. Likewise, people learning Torah stop their learning, and all the more so, regarding any other mitzvah of the Torah. All are delayed in favor of the Megillah reading." (Rambam, Hilchot Megillah 1:1)
The reason for this is the obligation of pirsumei nisa" - publicizing the miracle. We have to learn and to remember the miracles that were performed for the Jews on Purim in those times, and in our own times as well. As we say in the "Al HaNisim" prayer: "We thank G-d for the miracles He performed for our ancestors in those days, at this time."
And what was the essence of the miracle? The nullification of evil Haman's decree. Haman sought to annihilate all the Jews, and towards that end, he bribed Achashverosh with ten thousand silver talents. He succeeded in enlisting Achashverosh and the entire legislative system, as well as the empire's law enforcement agencies, towards what became the government's most important mission - annihilating the Jews. He also prepared a precise timetable, as with any military operation. The law was passed, signed and publicized throughout the country, so there would be no misunderstandings. Period.
"Letters were sent by post into all the king's provinces, to destroy, slay and cause to perish all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to take their spoil for a prey." (Esther 3:13)
It was even decided what would be done with their homes.
"The decree was given out in Shushan the capital, and the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed." (verse 15) The Jews in Shushan were perplexed. They were sorrowful and wept. They did not know what to do to nullify the decree of Haman and the king, while the non-Jews were joyous (see the Targum).
Mordechai's response to the royal decree was that they mustn't despair. Quite the contrary, they must operate on several different planes. First of all, they had to pray: "Mordechai rent his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry." (verse 4:1)
Second of all, he demanded of Esther that she influence Achashverosh to nullify the decree. When he sensed that she was avoiding her mission, he castigated her, even threatening her, "If you altogether hold your peace at this time, then relief and deliverance will arise to the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Who knows whether you are not come to royal estate for such a time as this?" (4:14)
Esther accepted the mission, taking upon herself the risks. She asked of Mordechai that the Jews should pray and fast for her, saying, "Go, assemble all the Jews in Shushan and fast for me." (4:16) Indeed, she persuaded Achashverosh to nullify the decree, saying, "How can I endure to see the evil that shall befall my people? How can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?" (8:6) With G-d's help, and through the self-sacrifice of Mordechai and Esther, the decree was nullified, and quite the contrary, "the Jews had rule over them that hated them.... and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad. The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor." (9:1; 8:15-16)
Today, the Purim story is known to all. It has repeated itself down through the generations, each time in a different garb. In our own time, as well, the decrees enacted to uproot Jews from their land and their homes remind us - albeit imprecisely - of the decrees passed against the Jews in former times. And just as the decrees of Achashverosh and Haman were nullified and overturned, so may the decrees of the present government be nullified - through the merit of the self-sacrifice of the descendants of Mordechai, the settlers of Judea and Samaria, who daily risk their lives for their people and their land. And through the merit of the millions of our people Israel the world over who pour out their hearts like water, praying to G-d in the synagogues and in private for the nullification of the present decree. And through the merit of the rabbis and Torah scholars, almost all of whom everywhere have come out with a loud call against the decrees of Ariel Sharon, may those decrees be nullified. And may the Jews have light and gladness and joy and honor.
[For more information regarding studies at the Machon Meir English Department, please visit http://www.machonmeir.org.il/english.... or email English1@machonmeir.org.il.]
The reason for this is the obligation of pirsumei nisa" - publicizing the miracle. We have to learn and to remember the miracles that were performed for the Jews on Purim in those times, and in our own times as well. As we say in the "Al HaNisim" prayer: "We thank G-d for the miracles He performed for our ancestors in those days, at this time."
And what was the essence of the miracle? The nullification of evil Haman's decree. Haman sought to annihilate all the Jews, and towards that end, he bribed Achashverosh with ten thousand silver talents. He succeeded in enlisting Achashverosh and the entire legislative system, as well as the empire's law enforcement agencies, towards what became the government's most important mission - annihilating the Jews. He also prepared a precise timetable, as with any military operation. The law was passed, signed and publicized throughout the country, so there would be no misunderstandings. Period.
"Letters were sent by post into all the king's provinces, to destroy, slay and cause to perish all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to take their spoil for a prey." (Esther 3:13)
It was even decided what would be done with their homes.
"The decree was given out in Shushan the capital, and the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Shushan was perplexed." (verse 15) The Jews in Shushan were perplexed. They were sorrowful and wept. They did not know what to do to nullify the decree of Haman and the king, while the non-Jews were joyous (see the Targum).
Mordechai's response to the royal decree was that they mustn't despair. Quite the contrary, they must operate on several different planes. First of all, they had to pray: "Mordechai rent his clothes and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry." (verse 4:1)
Second of all, he demanded of Esther that she influence Achashverosh to nullify the decree. When he sensed that she was avoiding her mission, he castigated her, even threatening her, "If you altogether hold your peace at this time, then relief and deliverance will arise to the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Who knows whether you are not come to royal estate for such a time as this?" (4:14)
Esther accepted the mission, taking upon herself the risks. She asked of Mordechai that the Jews should pray and fast for her, saying, "Go, assemble all the Jews in Shushan and fast for me." (4:16) Indeed, she persuaded Achashverosh to nullify the decree, saying, "How can I endure to see the evil that shall befall my people? How can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred?" (8:6) With G-d's help, and through the self-sacrifice of Mordechai and Esther, the decree was nullified, and quite the contrary, "the Jews had rule over them that hated them.... and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad. The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honor." (9:1; 8:15-16)
Today, the Purim story is known to all. It has repeated itself down through the generations, each time in a different garb. In our own time, as well, the decrees enacted to uproot Jews from their land and their homes remind us - albeit imprecisely - of the decrees passed against the Jews in former times. And just as the decrees of Achashverosh and Haman were nullified and overturned, so may the decrees of the present government be nullified - through the merit of the self-sacrifice of the descendants of Mordechai, the settlers of Judea and Samaria, who daily risk their lives for their people and their land. And through the merit of the millions of our people Israel the world over who pour out their hearts like water, praying to G-d in the synagogues and in private for the nullification of the present decree. And through the merit of the rabbis and Torah scholars, almost all of whom everywhere have come out with a loud call against the decrees of Ariel Sharon, may those decrees be nullified. And may the Jews have light and gladness and joy and honor.
[For more information regarding studies at the Machon Meir English Department, please visit http://www.machonmeir.org.il/english.... or email English1@machonmeir.org.il.]