Purim is About Jewish Unity

The story of Purim describes the near-genocide of the Jewish people.

Haman saw the Jews’ division as an opportunity to get rid of them. “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples” (Esther 3:8). Haman said that from his perspective, the Jews could be destroyed because they were separated from one another.

“There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples” (Esther 3:8).

But Mordechai, the hero of the Purim story, worked to fix our division, which is what eventually saved us: “The Jews gathered themselves together to stand for their life” (Esther 8:11).

After the first few years that the people of Israel existed, they started to disregard each other and take their special connection for granted. Mordechai turned to the people and told them they were facing a fateful life and death moment - so they united and had the strength to overcome their enemies.

This is precisely the example the entire world is waiting to receive from Israel.

Purim is as significant for Jews today as it was for the Jews in the story. It also has so much significance for society at large. A major issue that we need to understand about the meaning of Purim so we can understand its modern relevance is in relation to Haman:

Who or what is Haman in our present times? That is, who or what is behind society’s increasing estrangement and polarization?

Who or what is Haman in our present times? That is, who or what is behind society’s increasing estrangement and polarization?

Our most natural response according to our primal instincts is to personify the blame, thinking that a leader or group of leaders / politicians are to blame for our problems. But beyond the finger pointing, what is really behind today’s social division is the divisive mindset that Haman represents: the desire to seek money, honor, control and power no matter what we have to do to get there. This divisive mindset shuts us off from each other, separates and harms us, and masks the harm we cause each other.

Today’s tumultuous social atmosphere is a calling for us to find our common voice as a humanity that shares a common purpose and values. If we use this calling to connect slightly above our primal instincts, then we can create a much more harmonious and peaceful world.

Whenever the Jewish people were at risk of ruin, it was our unity that saved us. We can use the Purim story as an eternal reminder that our unity can get us out of the worst situations. And that by uniting, we set a positive example for the rest of humanity.

Although we Jews have an innate obligation to set the standard for choosing unity over division, people of all races, colors, shapes and sizes should make the same steps toward unity before heading into greater turmoil and crises. Our destiny is in our hands.