The Gemara in Megillah (7b) states, “V’chayav inish l’besumei,” that a person must become intoxicated on Purim to the point where he cannot differentiate between “Arur Haman” and “Baruch Mordechai.” This mitzvah is often understood at face value as an obligation to drink, but the Nesivos, in his sefer Megilas Setarim (Hakdama), offers a profound explanation that gives new depth to this concept.
The story of Purim marks a pivotal moment in Jewish history. As the Gemara (Megillah 14a) teaches, the ring that Achashveirosh gave to Haman had a greater impact on Klal Yisroel than the mussar of the 48 nevi’im. The decree against the Jewish people forced them to engage in sincere teshuva, which ultimately led to their salvation. As a result of this miraculous turn of events, Klal Yisrael accepted the Torah willingly and with love, completing the acceptance that began at Har Sinai.
The Nesivos explains that although Haman was undoubtedly evil, his decree inadvertently brought about an unparalleled awakening of teshuva and Torah commitment. On the other hand, even Mordechai, the hero of the Purim story, was not entirely without flaw—his refusal to bow to Haman, while righteous, placed all of Klal Yisrael in mortal danger.
Therefore, the obligation of "V’chayav inish l’besumei" is not merely about drinking. The word "l’besumei" can also mean to take pleasure or enjoyment. A person should rejoice in the ultimate good that emerged from the Purim story—the renewed connection to Hashem—so intensely that he no longer feels the need to curse Haman, nor does he see Mordechai as entirely without imperfection. This perspective does not minimize Haman’s wickedness but rather highlights that the joy of our salvation overshadows all else.
This concept can be illustrated by a real-life story:
Two young men had been close friends for many years. One day, one of them decided to play a cruel prank on the other. There was a highly sought-after young girl in the community whose name was being mentioned for shidduchim. The friend, in an act of mischief, falsely told the young man that he had arranged a date with her. Excited, the unsuspecting young man arrived at her home, only to have the girl’s father realize it was all a setup. However, instead of humiliating him, the father graciously invited him inside and began speaking with him. Impressed by his character, the father saw true potential and insisted that his daughter meet him. The two went out, the date went well, and in time, they became engaged.
After the engagement, the boy who orchestrated the prank had the audacity to ask for shadchanus money! Although beis din ruled that he had no claim, the young man who had been tricked bore no ill will. Recognizing that the prank had led to the greatest berachah in his life, he gave his friend a generous sum and even honored him with a special berachah under the chuppah.
This is the essence of Purim. The ability to see the broader picture, to recognize that even when events seem negative, Hashem’s guiding hand brings about the ultimate good. "V’chayav inish l’besumei" means to immerse oneself so deeply in the joy of our salvation and our rekindled connection to Hashem that we no longer focus on the bitterness of the past. On Purim, we celebrate not only our victory but also the deeper understanding that Hashem’s plans are always for the best.
(The following two insights were sent to me by ovi mori shlita)
Novel Insight into Why We Dress Up on Purim
The sefer Ohr Aharon (pg. 232) brings a novel insight into why we dress up on Purim, he writes: לבי אומר לי טעם נפלא למנהג זה – “My heart tells me an amazing reason for the minhag of dressing up”. He suggests: When Haman issued the decree in the King's name to annihilate the Jews in all his provinces from one end of the world to the other there was nowhere they could run to in order to escape. (Unlike during WW2 when there were countries that fought against the Nazis and neutral countries where Yidden managed to flee.) The only way, b'derech hateva, to save themselves was to change their clothes to look like goyim and then they would not be recognized as Jewish. Certainly, every individual made sure to acquire the appropriate clothes for himself and his family. In this way they prepared as best they could. Ultimately, when the nes happened and Mordechai and Esther managed to avert the evil decree these costumes were not required. As part of the great rejoicing and celebration over their salvation everyone took out their clothes that they had put away for a disguise and dressed up in them to increase the simcha and make known the miracle. Therefore, even today there remains the minhag to ‘dress up’ on Purim.
Why We Drink on Purim
ורבים מעמי הארץ מתיהדים כי נפל פחד היהודים עליהם “Many of the people of the land converted, as fear overcame them” (Esther 8:17).
The Megillah tells us that at the time of the nes of Purim many of the non-Jews were gripped with fear that the Yidden would take revenge on them, and they converted to become Jewish. The Alshich and Manos HaLevi point out that this pasuk shows the contrast between the Yidden and the goyim. Despite the decree of annihilation against all Jews we do not see that anyone was willing to give up his faith.
In Maseches Gerim (1:3) Reb Yehuda and Reb Nechemia hold that this geirus was not genuine as they converted for ulterior motives. Rebbi Tanchum HaYerushalmi argues that they were genuine, and they were inspired to convert when they witnessed the uplifted level of the Yidden and their closeness to Hashem.
Rav Zvi Ferber quotes a beautiful thought from Rav Chaim Zundel Maccabi. Mordechai wanted to differentiate between those goyim who had genuine desire to be part of the Jewish people and those that were fraudulent and only pretended externally, whilst internally they still harboured hatred towards the Jews. Chazal tell us that “nichnas yayin yotzo sod” – when wine is consumed then the secrets come out, Therefore, he instituted a day a feasting and drinking where each person would encourage his friend to imbibe lots of wine. In this way all would be revealed. The Yidden when they were drunk would shout “Boruch Mordechai, Arur Haman!” However, those who were ‘false converts’ and only pretending to be Jewish, would reveal their true colours and be cursing Mordechai. In this way it would be instantly revealed who they really were. Since this idea was established from the beginning so the practice remains that we indulge in drinking plenty of wine on Purim as a remembrance of this event.
I would just humbly like to add, that when drinking, make sure that what comes out is the desired result...
