This coming Sunday, 24th of March, we will celebrate the very joyous holiday of Purim. In the year 3404 (357 BCE) in ancient Persia, the wicked Haman schemed to destroy the Jewish People. But through a miraculous sequence of events involving Mordechai and Queen Esther, the tables were turned; Haman and his henchmen were hanged on the gallows instead.
Haman, in those days, did not need to resort to newfangled inventions in his attempt at the first "Final Solution." With the mere signing of a royal proclamation giving him the power to do as he pleased, our fate as a people seemed to be sealed.
But Haman's plans were foiled by Esther, who had been placed in the palace by G-d to deflect Haman's evil decree.
Modern-day Hamans try to wreak havoc on the Jewish people in the Holy Land, and on all people throughout the world.
Every year the victory of the survival of the Jewish people, despite all odds, is celebrated on the joyous Festival of Purim. And although the story of Purim happened so long ago, its lesson of faith and trust in G-d is as relevant today as ever.
This year, lets all celebrate Purim and send a message of true Jewish strength - that trust in G-d is stronger than anything else. For, with each special Purim mitzvah or general mitzvah we do, we strengthen ourselves, the Jewish people, and the entire world.
