Why the Joy of Purim is Unique
Nefesh Shimshon | March 22, 2024
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Why the Joy of Purim is Unique

Nefesh Shimshon | June 27, 2025

Jewish holidays are rich and varied. Pesach is not like Shavu’os, and neither of them is like Sukkos. But they all have in common that they are mo’adim. A mo’ed is a special time when the Jewish people meets and convenes with Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and this meeting elicits great joy. Thus the mitzvah of simchah, which is common to all the mo’adim.

Purim is absolutely different from all the other holidays. The mitzvah of joy and holding a festive banquet on Purim is different from the mitzvah of simchah on other holidays. On Purim we have a mitzvah to drink wine “until one does not know.” Such behavior does not seem to have anything to do with kedushah. If you can’t even tell the difference between “Cursed is Haman” and “Blessed is Mordechai,” how can you experience joy of kedushah?!

It is quite obvious that the character of Purim is unlike that of any other holiday.

Jewish holidays are rich and varied. Pesach is not like Shavu’os, and neither of them is like Sukkos. But they all have in common that they are mo’adim. A mo’ed is a special time when the Jewish people meets and convenes with Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and this meeting elicits great joy. Thus the mitzvah of simchah, which is common to all the mo’adim.

Purim is absolutely different from all the other holidays. The mitzvah of joy and holding a festive banquet on Purim is different from the mitzvah of simchah on other holidays. On Purim we have a mitzvah to drink wine “until one does not know.” Such behavior does not seem to have anything to do with kedushah. If you can’t even tell the difference between “Cursed is Haman” and “Blessed is Mordechai,” how can you experience joy of kedushah?!

It is quite obvious that the character of Purim is unlike that of any other holiday.

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