The Purim story seems pretty basic: Haman, a wicked advisor to the Persian King Ahaseurus, had engineered an evil decree to exterminate the kingdom's entire Jewish population. Unbeknownst to almost everyone, including the king, the Jews had an ‘inside woman’ at the palace. Queen Esther was actually a Jewess! What’s more, she was related to Mordechai, a prominent Jewish leader at the time.
So, Queen Esther worked her magic to save the Jews, who rallied and were victorious over their enemies. The end. Or not? Beyond the happy resolution, this story has a profound message for our daily lives 2,500 years later. Let’s dig a little deeper.
In the narrative, Mordechai finds out about this terrible plan and sends a secret message to Esther, imploring her to beseech the king for mercy. Queen Esther sends back a sad but reasonable response: “The situation is terrible. But I haven't been summoned to the king's quarters for a month now. We all know that no one - under penalty of death - can go to the king's quarters unbidden. There’s nothing I can do to help.”
Mordechai responds with a theological statement that re-frames her world: “If you choose to keep silent, relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from elsewhere… Who knows whether it was for just this reason that you attained your royal position?!”
Esther understood that she was in a unique position to help her people, and that G-d gives us opportunities to use, not squander, them. It’s an inspiring, yet weighty, thought. When we find ourselves in a position to make a difference, we need to take a moment to recognize that what has presented itself isn’t a burden, it’s a responsibility and a Heaven-sent opportunity. It’s an opening for us to actualize our very purpose in life.
None of us knows exactly what G-d has in mind for our lives. But we know G-d has something in mind, and our next request to help others may just be a key opportunity to further our purpose.
Happy Purim