Description: Purim 04
Sichos Rav Shimshon Pincus
Purim 04
Let’s summarize what we have discussed until now. We have noted that Purim is unique in the way we celebrate the Yom Tov. Every other Yom Tov has an obligation of simchah, but Purim the obligation is to drink wine ‘ad delo yodah,’ to lose rational thought, a level of simchah unequalled by other moadim. We have also seen that Purim seems to be the top of the ladder, the ultimate level we are trying to reach, after building on Pesach, Shavuos and all the other Yomim Tovim of the year – they are all bringing us to the pinnacle which is Purim. Why is Purim the final rung of the year?
We then learned that the Arizal says that all other Yomim Tovim celebrate a neis that happened in history, which changed the nature of that time of year, like Pesach became zman cheirusainu, and we benefit every year from the ruchniyos energy imbued by Pesach, but the neis itself happened a long time ago. Likewise, all Yomim Tovim except Purim. The neis of Purim says the Arizal, is happening every year – we are celebrating and being elevated by the power of the neis happening in front of us. Although we are not threatened by Haman now, the outpouring of love and Rachamim that Hashem displayed then, is repeated every year on Purim – and that was the real neis.
Lastly, we learned that the concept of Hester Panim, Hashem hiding Himself, also refers to the way the world is run according to our actions. The fact that if we do mitzvos we bring brachah and blessing upon the world, and if we sin chas v’shalom the opposite happens, is a measure of Hashem removing Himself from this world, and handing it over to ‘policy,’ the policy established by the Torah. It is a distancing of Hashem, so that we perceive His direct involvement less. All Yomim Tovim reflect this, as Pesach was in the merit of us believing in Hashem, Shavuos because we said Naaseh V’Nishmah and so on.
But this also changed on Purim.
On Purim there was a decree, signed and sealed in Heaven. If it was sealed that means it was irrevocable, why? Because the Jews had sinned to the point where it was almost impossible to redeem them without resorting to great suffering and punishment. They had reached the point of no return. Just as the Beis Hamikdash had been destroyed because Hashem’s hands were tied so to speak, there was no other option to salvage Klal Yisrael, the decree of Haman was seemingly insurmountable. It had to happen.
But Hashem changed the rules of the world. At that point, Klal Yisrael came to a recognition – they can’t do anything, they have no zchus left. Hashem required them to step out of the driver’s seat, and Hashem took charge – without paying attention to their sins, not working with the policies and rules set in the Torah. In this way, Purim had a semblance of the times of Moshiach, when Hashem will redeem this world no matter what – with a hanhagah, a whole different approach, one that can’t be affected by sins. The outpouring of love from Hashem was so great, so powerful, He moved above and beyond all that is ‘normal’ for the world. Hashem tells us, please step aside, and let Me work!
This is the depth of the mitzvah of drinking ‘ad delo yadah.’ When a person loses rational thought, one thing is clear to him – that he’s not able to do anything himself! He’s helpless and relies on all sober people to guide him and help him. He lost his mind and his control, and thus handed it over to others. That’s what we are trying to accomplish on Purim, to step aside, so that Hashem can step in. When Hashem steps in, nothing stands in the way, not sins, not lack of merit, not the way the world works, and not what seems to be fixed – tevah! Nothing!
Look at how the nais of Purim progressed. Early in the morning, Haman wakes up – because it’s going to be a wonderful day. He has the kings signet ring, he’s passed his decree, he’s put up gallows for Mordechai, which he’s convinced the king will allow him to hang, and he thinks he’s about to wear the king’s clothing and ride his horse! Then, all of a sudden – everything changes, and by the end of the day, Haman is hanging on the gallows, which was meant for him all along, the ring is in the hands of Mordechai, who was wearing the clothes of the king which was meant for him all along. Haman, the respected and beloved advisor to the king, the richest and most powerful person in Persia – is dead! Things that according to the way the world works – are impossible.
That’s the chiddush of Purim – what’s impossible is possible, just step aside and let Hashem take full control! That is ‘ad delo yadah.’
Sichos Rav Shimshon Pincus
Purim 04
Let’s summarize what we have discussed until now. We have noted that Purim is unique in the way we celebrate the Yom Tov. Every other Yom Tov has an obligation of simchah, but Purim the obligation is to drink wine ‘ad delo yodah,’ to lose rational thought, a level of simchah unequalled by other moadim. We have also seen that Purim seems to be the top of the ladder, the ultimate level we are trying to reach, after building on Pesach, Shavuos and all the other Yomim Tovim of the year – they are all bringing us to the pinnacle which is Purim. Why is Purim the final rung of the year?
We then learned that the Arizal says that all other Yomim Tovim celebrate a neis that happened in history, which changed the nature of that time of year, like Pesach became zman cheirusainu, and we benefit every year from the ruchniyos energy imbued by Pesach, but the neis itself happened a long time ago. Likewise, all Yomim Tovim except Purim. The neis of Purim says the Arizal, is happening every year – we are celebrating and being elevated by the power of the neis happening in front of us. Although we are not threatened by Haman now, the outpouring of love and Rachamim that Hashem displayed then, is repeated every year on Purim – and that was the real neis.
Lastly, we learned that the concept of Hester Panim, Hashem hiding Himself, also refers to the way the world is run according to our actions. The fact that if we do mitzvos we bring brachah and blessing upon the world, and if we sin chas v’shalom the opposite happens, is a measure of Hashem removing Himself from this world, and handing it over to ‘policy,’ the policy established by the Torah. It is a distancing of Hashem, so that we perceive His direct involvement less. All Yomim Tovim reflect this, as Pesach was in the merit of us believing in Hashem, Shavuos because we said Naaseh V’Nishmah and so on.
But this also changed on Purim.
On Purim there was a decree, signed and sealed in Heaven. If it was sealed that means it was irrevocable, why? Because the Jews had sinned to the point where it was almost impossible to redeem them without resorting to great suffering and punishment. They had reached the point of no return. Just as the Beis Hamikdash had been destroyed because Hashem’s hands were tied so to speak, there was no other option to salvage Klal Yisrael, the decree of Haman was seemingly insurmountable. It had to happen.
But Hashem changed the rules of the world. At that point, Klal Yisrael came to a recognition – they can’t do anything, they have no zchus left. Hashem required them to step out of the driver’s seat, and Hashem took charge – without paying attention to their sins, not working with the policies and rules set in the Torah. In this way, Purim had a semblance of the times of Moshiach, when Hashem will redeem this world no matter what – with a hanhagah, a whole different approach, one that can’t be affected by sins. The outpouring of love from Hashem was so great, so powerful, He moved above and beyond all that is ‘normal’ for the world. Hashem tells us, please step aside, and let Me work!
This is the depth of the mitzvah of drinking ‘ad delo yadah.’ When a person loses rational thought, one thing is clear to him – that he’s not able to do anything himself! He’s helpless and relies on all sober people to guide him and help him. He lost his mind and his control, and thus handed it over to others. That’s what we are trying to accomplish on Purim, to step aside, so that Hashem can step in. When Hashem steps in, nothing stands in the way, not sins, not lack of merit, not the way the world works, and not what seems to be fixed – tevah! Nothing!
Look at how the nais of Purim progressed. Early in the morning, Haman wakes up – because it’s going to be a wonderful day. He has the kings signet ring, he’s passed his decree, he’s put up gallows for Mordechai, which he’s convinced the king will allow him to hang, and he thinks he’s about to wear the king’s clothing and ride his horse! Then, all of a sudden – everything changes, and by the end of the day, Haman is hanging on the gallows, which was meant for him all along, the ring is in the hands of Mordechai, who was wearing the clothes of the king which was meant for him all along. Haman, the respected and beloved advisor to the king, the richest and most powerful person in Persia – is dead! Things that according to the way the world works – are impossible.
That’s the chiddush of Purim – what’s impossible is possible, just step aside and let Hashem take full control! That is ‘ad delo yadah.’