One year, Rav Henoch of Alexander zy”a approached Rav Bunim of Peshischa zy”a on Purim and said, “Rebbi, I want to do teshuva!“ Rav Bunim’s son, Rav Avrohom Moshe of Peshischa zy”a, was standing next to his father, and he asked, “What is the connection between teshuva and Purim?“ Rav Bunim replied, “Rav Henoch is correct. The pasuk in the Megillah (8:5) says: ‘To turn back (l’heishiv) the intentions of Haman.’ The word ‘l’heishiv’ refers to teshuva and is a hint that one should do teshuva on Purim.”
Teshuva at This Time:
Sefer Tzror Hachaim relates (Ois 156) that once during the Purim seudah, a man told Rav Itzikel of Skver zy”a that it is said in the name of the Ruzhiner Rebbe zy”a that on Purim “one can accomplish whatever he desires”, and whatever level he wishes to reach will be granted to him by Hashem because there is a rule that anyone who stretches out his hand on Purim is given what he asks for. Rav Itzikel replied, “If so, it is a time for teshuva. Hashem is also stretching out His hand, as we recite in Tefillas Ne’ilah: ‘His hand is outstretched to accept those who return.’ Therefore, we must give Him what He wants.“
It Is Easy for a Baal Teshuva to Get Close to Hashem:
Rav Berish of Ziditchoiv zy”a (Sefer Malbush L’Shabbos V’Yomtov) writes that on Purim, when everyone who stretches out his hand is given whatever he requests, it is easy for a baal teshuva to get close to Hashem.
The Sitra Achra Has no Power on This Day:
The pasuk states (Esther 7:6): “And Haman became terrified.“ Sefer Sifsei Tzadik writes that this refers to all forces of impurity. On this day, they all are terrified and fearful. Therefore, this is a good time to daven for whatever we need. The Gemara says (Rosh Hashanah 16B) that we blow the shofar in order to confuse the satan. So too, the satan is confused and worried on Purim, which allows our tefillos to be heard and accepted on this day.
Purim is an Auspicious Time to Defeat the Sitra Acha:
The Gemara (Megillah 7B) says that one is obligated to celebrate on Purim until he doesn’t know the difference between “cursed is Haman and blessed is Mordechai”. My grandfather, Rav Mordchele of Nadvorna zy”a (Maamar Mordechai on Maseches Megillah) explains that Purim is the best time to defeat Amalek, which is the Sitra Achra. Thus, the celebration we are obligated to engage in on Purim is that of beating the forces of evil. However, one has to sneak up on the Sitra Achra so that it doesn’t realize he is coming to destroy it and doesn’t fight back. Therefore, one should act like he doesn’t know the difference between Haman and Mordechai. If it seems like he can’t tell the difference between right and wrong, the Sitra Achra won’t realize that he is fighting against him, and he will be easily able to overpower it.
