In a little over a week (Sat. March 23 in the evening through Sunday, March 24) we will celebrate Purim, commemorating our salvation from the only genocidal plot against us in history that had a chance of happening. King Achashveirosh’s kingdom encompassed the entirety of civilization at the time, hence every Jew was under his control and Haman’s law of extermination was an existential threat. When G-d miraculously saved us, not only was the holiday of Purim born to offer thanks for our survival, the dramatic saga caused the term “Yehudi” which is translated in English as “Jew” to become an ethnic reference for our entire nation. Avraham our first patriarch was never called “Jew.” He was called “Ivri” which is “Hebrew” in English. When his descendants moved to Egypt they were called “Bnei Yisrael” translated as “the sons of Israel” (Israelites), which was our third patriarch Yaakov’s G-d given name later in life. These two names went on to be the ethnic identifiers of our nation for close to 1,000 years. In the Purim story, as it is recorded in the Megillah (Book of Esther), the heroic Mordechai is introduced as “Ish Yehudi” and throughout the story he is called “Mordechai HaYehudi,” terms we automatically translate today as “Jewish man” and “Mordecai the Jew.” But it’s not so simple. The term “Yehudi” is previously used in the Bible to refer exclusively to members of the tribe of “Yehuda” (Judah) whereas Mordechai was a member of the tribe of Benjamin. Throughout the narrative, our nation as a whole is called “Yehudim” when the context clearly indicates it is a reference to members of all Israelite tribes. How did this come to be? The word “Yehuda” is etymologically linked to the word “Hodaah” which refers to submission, acknowledgment and thanksgiving. These three concepts are intertwined when it comes to our relationship with G-d. One must submit oneself to the objective and transcendent truth of G-d in order to acknowledge G-d’s sovereignty and presence in our lives in all times and places, leading one to eternal gratefulness and thanksgiving. Mordechai was that type of person. Notwithstanding his stature, prominence and political success, his awareness of G-d and devotion to Torah and Mitzvot never wavered. Although kowtowing to the fiendish Haman was the politically expedient or - some may have argued - the most pragmatic course of action at the time, Mordechai was called “Yehudi” because he steadfastly clung to his belief in G-d with no deviation or compromise. His example inspired all the members of his nation from all tribes to become proud and staunch “Yehudim.” Although Haman’s decree had a provision to spare anyone who publicly rejected their “Yehudiness,” their connection to Torah and Mitzvah observance, no one considered it an option. Their self-sacrifice to remain “Yehudim” carried the day, and we cherish this ethnic identifier to this day. Beyond a celebration of our survival as an ethnic group, Purim is a time to reflect on what it means to be a “Jew.” A stubborn, unwavering and proud member of the nation mandated to be G-d’s ambassadors to prepare the world for an era of true peace and tranquility through learning more Torah, doing more Mitzvot and inspiring everyone around us as well.