On Purim we celebrated Jewish survival in exile. In ancient Persia the Jewish nation lived in peace and prospered within Persian society. Suddenly all chaos broke loose. Throughout the years of relative calm, Haman the Amalekite had been working behind the scenes against our ancestors. Securing himself the position of viceroy and absolute influence over the king, he successfully legislated (probably) the first state sponsored genocide of an entire people. Esther as queen or Mordechai’s high position at the royal court was not sufficient to prevent the decree from being signed and sealed.
As the Megillah recounts, Mordechai and Esther understood that salvation will not depend on standard political maneuvers. It was up to the nation to unite and awaken to the reality that only through selfless commitment to G-d and His Torah will there be chance for survival. And awaken they did. They gathered en masse in prayer and repentance and they inspired each other to greater commitment to mitzvah observance. Only after this national awakening did Esther attempt to plead her case to the king.
Queen Esther was confident that her people would not disappoint her. She knew that even those that had chosen to assimilate to the local culture and to reject Judaism still retained a spark of Jewish pride. One needed to fan the spark and it would become a burning flame of Jewish identity and commitment.
In parshat Tzav we continue to study the laws of the Temple service. The focus of the Temple service is the korbanot (sacrifices) offered on the Altar. G-d cautioned the kohanim (priests) to ensure that the fire on the Altar should constantly burn.
Every aspect of the Temple is a reflection of ourselves. Our heart is the Altar and the fire is the passion for Judaism we all have. At times it may be on low flame, but it is always there. It is our responsibility to ensure that this flame be eternal and increasingly grow by feeding it with Torah study and mitzvah observance.
Yesterday, on Purim, I witnessed scores of Jews celebrating joyously by hearing the Megillah, sharing Mishloach Manot with friends, generously donating to the poor and enjoying a Purim feast as a community. The flame of Judaism is alive and well in El Paso. May the joy of Purim be felt throughout the entire year.