Teshuva on Purim:
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.”
Hashem’s Hand is Outstretched:
Sefer Tzror Hachaim relates (Ois 156) that once during the Purim seudah, a man told Rav Itzikel of Skverz 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.”
