Purim grants us the insight to slice through the veil of hester
There’s nothing like an approaching Yom Tov to inspire excitement and interrupt the laundry-cooking-bedtime-repeat monotony that takes up much of our time. And depending on our station in life, the amount of cleaning help we have, and how many little people we’re responsible for, adding a few more of these delightful holiday interludes might be our secret wish. However, aside from the Yamim Tovim mandated by the Torah, Chazal, in their wisdom, authorized only two more: Chanukah and Purim.
In the preface to his commentary on the Megillah, Yosef Lekach addresses the dearth of Yamim Tovim sanctioned by Chazal. In playful rhyme, he recounts numerous military victories and miracles we witnessed that would fade into oblivion if not for their codification in Nach. Why weren’t they worthy of a special holiday like Purim? The miracles that abounded when we conquered Eretz Yisrael in Yehoshua’s time were surely outstanding enough to merit yearly celebration! And what of the other wonders Hashem wrought, such as our miraculous victory over Aram during the reign of Achav? Why aren’t they worthy of a Yom Tov?
What is unique about the Purim miracle that sets it apart from other miracles and garners it a coveted day of celebration with its own mitzvos hayom?
In the very first brachah of Shemoneh Esreh, we declare Hashem “haKeil haGadol haGibor v’haNora,” a description of His greatness attributed to Moshe Rabbeinu. Surprisingly, thousands of years ago, this description was in danger of deletion.
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