By Morah Carolyn Steinman
More than any other holiday, Purim teaches us to reach out to all Jews in our community and focus on solidarity. The story of Purim is as relevant today as it was then. Jews faced an existential threat. And our survival as a people depended on our mutual support.
The ways in which we celebrate the victory of survival then is through gathering together to read the Megilla (story); to invite others into our homes for a seuda (meal); to reach out to others with generosity of spirit through the mutual exchange of mishloach manot (gifts of food) and to give matanot l’evyonim (charity) to support those in our community who are in need.
Purim challenges us to look beyond ourselves and to see those around us. As we celebrate Purim we need to stop focusing on who is too left or too right, too religious or too secular. We need to unite to celebrate our continued existence despite those who wish to destroy us. We need to strengthen our support for our homeland so we may continue to be a People, free in our own land.
Chag Purim Sameach.
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