Once, there was a harsh decree upon a certain Jewish town. The townspeople came to the great light of Israel, the holy Baal Shem Tov, asking him to pray for the annulment of the decree. The Baal Shem Tov and his disciples did everything in their power to nullify the harsh decree, but they were unsuccessful.
Finally, the Baal Shem Tov told them that although he had not succeeded in annulling the decree, there was one Jew who could. He directed them to a certain village, instructing them to seek out the village drunkard. “Make sure he blesses that the decree be annulled,” said the Baal Shem Tov. And so it was. They traveled to that village and found the drunkard, who was completely incoherent. They waited for him to wake up, and as soon as he did, he stretched out his hand for another drink. However, they refused to give him the bottle until he blessed that the decree be annulled. With no other choice, the drunkard said, “Let the decree be annulled! Now give me the bottle already...” And the decree was annulled!
The Jews wanted to understand the meaning of this and returned to the holy Baal Shem Tov. The Baal Shem Tov told them that this Jew had once been a great sinner. At one point, he had saved money for a long time in order to commit a serious transgression. Finally, when he had accumulated the necessary amount, he set out on his way. Along the road, he heard terrible cries. He stopped to investigate the source of the shouting and discovered that there was an orphaned bride who lacked the necessary dowry. The groom’s side was threatening to cancel the shidduch, and the bride was weeping. Immediately, the man took all his money and gave it to the orphan so that she could go to her wedding, leaving nothing for himself.
In Heaven, a great commotion arose over his deed, and it was immediately decreed that all his blessings would come true. However, the prosecuting angels objected, arguing, “How can such a simple person be granted such great power?” Therefore, it was decreed that he would always remain a drunkard.
Based on this, the Baal Shem Tov explained the power of Purim—a day when every Jew can bring about salvation, as Chazal teach (Yerushalmi Megillah 1:4, 2:6): ‘Whoever extends his hand is given’. But this power was given to the drunkards.
Therefore, whether you are reading these words before drinking, in the midst of Purim, or even if Purim has already passed for you—so long as it is still Purim, its spiritual effects remain. Let us make proper use of this elevated time, and with God’s help, may you bring about salvation in both the spiritual and physical realms.
Sichah in Kollel Shivti
