In one village there was a man who indulged in eating and imbibing during the entire month of Adar. When asked why he did so, he explained:
“Everyone celebrates Haman’s downfall on Purim with food and drink, right?
“But just think. Haman decreed that all the Jews in the one hundred and twenty-seven provinces of the empire be annihilated on one single day, the 14th of Adar. How on earth is it feasible to kill all the men, women and children spread out over such a vast empire in a single day?
“The truth of the matter is that Haman originally planned to designate the entire month of Adar for the destruction of the Jews. However, aware of their history, and the fact that Hashem intervenes to save the Jews, as He did in Mitzrayim, Haman reasoned that if Hashem saved them from his scheme, they would celebrate their salvation by establishing a Yom Tov such as Pesach. If the month of Adar were set aside for their distinction, and then they were miraculously saved, the Jews would of course turn the whole month into one of rejoicing.
“Haman was so wicked that he wished to prevent such a possibly. He therefore decreed only one day for the realization of his plot, so that in the event of a miracle, the Jews would have only that one day for their partying.”
Here, the villager licked his lips, raised his eyebrows, and said “But I know what his evil plans really were, so I celebrate the entire month.”
