When I was a child, hanging in our home was a needlepoint my mother made that had a picture of a house, and underneath it, the words, “Home is where your [ ] is [ ].”
I had seen it a million times but never realized what it was saying, until one day I asked my parents what it means that “home is where your is.” After they laughed, they explained that the heart symbol between “your” and “is” was supposed to be read as “home is where your heart is.” I then asked what “hope is where your heart is buggy” means. They laughed again and explained that the little buggy was just there for design and wasn’t meant to be read, unlike the heart which was meant to be read.
After that, “home is where your is” became a family joke, and a story my parents love to tell.
We all have moments in life when we fail to recognize the deeper meanings of things around us. Sometimes it can be a seemingly nonchalant comment or gesture that has much deeper significance and meaning than realized.
A therapist is trained to try to be in tune and recognize such nuances. We too try to interpret and externalize hidden subtle, often subconscious, meanings.
I would venture to say that regarding many religious matters we fail to recognize the deeper subtleties and meanings behind our rituals and customs. Perhaps there is no greater time of year when we miss the nuances and depth than during the holiday of Purim.
I often ask my students who they think wears the best costume on Purim. After they excitedly suggest their nominations, I tell them that in my opinion – which, incidentally, is always correct – no one wears a better costume than the holiday of Purim itself!
Purim masquerades as a simple day of fun and gaiety. While it’s unquestionably a day to enjoy on all levels, we shouldn’t miss out on the deeper meanings and lessons of the day.
It’s worth taking a few moments to contemplate some of the less recognized, yet vital, messages of this beloved and joyous holiday. Although each idea requires its own focus, we will briefly list some of those timeless ideas:
Purim is a celebration of Kabbolas HaTorah. The Gemara relates that although there was a modicum of coercion at the time of Kabbolas HaTorah at Sinai, at the time of the Purim miracle, the nation joyously and unequivocally reaccepted and rededicated themselves to Torah.
Purim marks the victory of good middos (character traits) over bad middos. Achashverosh was driven by paranoia, lust, greed and power. Haman was consumed with hate, hubris, and the pursuit of glory and power. Their evil plans were thwarted by Mordechai and Esther who personified love, devotion, selflessness, faith and humility. It’s truly a story of good guys beating the bad guys.
The focus of Purim is horizontal as well as vertical. The story of the Megillah reminds us that Hashem runs every facet of our lives. We give shalach manos to build our connection and friendship with our peers, neighbors and friends. We also give matanos l’evyonim to those lacking and underprivileged. Finally, at the seudah we reach a state of inner and outer joy, rejoicing in who we are and accepting that we are beloved and special.
The immediate consequence of the Purim miracle was the rebuilding of the second Bais HaMikdash. When Achashverosh came to power, he immediately stopped the recently begun reconstruction of the Bais HaMikdash. After his death, his son and successor, Darius II, commissioned the completion of the rebuilding.
Purim serves to strengthen us in the belief that we too will soon merit geula and the ultimate rebuilding of the Bais HaMikdash, even if now we don’t see how.
Purim is an incredible day of tefillah. Purim begins with a fast, Ta’anis Esther, to remind us that the miracle was the result of our prayers during that desperate time. Seforim reveal that on Purim the gates of prayer are wide open, and prayers can accomplish incredible things.
Appreciate the blessings of life, health and family while we have them. Haman’s evil decree instantly turned over the world for the Jews. His undoing and destruction were equally quick and unexpected.
In life, things can change so quickly. Don’t take anyone or anything for granted.
Perhaps most poignantly: Never, ever, give up! At the time of the Megillah, the Jewish situation was worse than bleak. They had no one to turn to and nowhere to run. Despite the hopelessness of the situation, they maintained a sense of hope and they persevered.
Purim reminds us to peel back layers and see beyond the surface. In a superficial society, that message is invaluable. On Purim, we recognize that many masks are hiding the truth, most prominently the truth of the divine Hand orchestrating every facet of the world and our lives.
Home is unquestionably where your ___ is. It’s up to us to decide what symbolism we insert there.
