On the festival of Purim, when we all listen carefully to the reading of the Megilah and ponder upon the story it tells us, let us all remember a few important details and facts that took place in those days at this time:
There arose then a Haman, who issued a decree to murder and destroy all Jews at a fixed date. Queen Esther then calls upon Mordecai to "gather all the Jews and fast" and then she would go and plead with the king to rescind the terrible decree. Mordecai thereupon goes and gathers tens of thousands of Jewish children and teaches them the Torah; he teaches them the procedure of offering the Omer when the Temple would be completely rebuilt.
All the children are so enchanted by the new spirit that Mordecai had inculcated into them, that even facing the danger of death, they exclaim: We stick with Mordecai and the Torah — for life or death!
In that very same day the decree becomes null and void. Haman’s downfall is already assured and the Jews are saved, even though they learn of it only after a number of months.
The experiences of our fathers are a lesson to us all! Our people is facing a grave crisis. A new Haman has arisen and decreed the destruction of our people — it shall never be.
Let us therefore remember that one of the chief means of frustrating this decree, one of the chief means of bringing about Haman’s downfall and bringing light and joy to our people is — TO GATHER JEWISH CHILDREN AND TEACH TORAH AND YIDDISHKEIT!
To tell them that the complete redemption really lies in our own hands and there is no place for despair, for as soon as we Jews return to G-d in complete repentance—we are redeemed immediately.
To tell them, further, that our Holy Temple will be rebuilt soon, and we must all be worthy and prepared to serve our G-d in our Holy Temple.
On the day when the Jewish children are imbued with this spirit, and are ready to exclaim — "We remain with thee, our Torah, for life or death” — on that very day, our Torah assures us, the decree will be rescinded, Haman will be defeated, and all Jews will have ’light, gladness, joy and respect,’ speedily in our time.
MERKOS L'INYONEI CHINUCH
Rabbi Mendel Schneerson
