On the festive holiday of Purim, which this year we will observe on Feb. 25-26, we sit in shul with groggers in hand and celebrate our salvation in Shushan and the downfall of our enemy, Haman.
However, we often forget to ask, “How did we get into this predicament in the first place?“
Our Sages teach us that Hashem deals with Am Yisrael “measure for measure.”
Which culpable behavior brought about this horrifying threat in the first place?
One answer is during that time, the Jews were not unified as a nation. Haman even attested to this fact when he said, “There is one nation that is scattered and separate” (Esther 3:8). Our uniting in prayer and sackcloth in response to Haman’s decree in the end helped avert this judgment.
This is a central reason why we perform four special mitzvot and get dressed up in costume on Purim. It’s what I like to call “The Five M’s of Purim” (each beginning with the letter M) — to rectify this sin by bringing Jews together on that day.
We read the Megillah to remind us of these unifying lessons. We join together for a feast, exchange food items and give presents to those in need in order to strengthen our communal bond. And we put on masks to help us push beyond external appearances that at times pose an obstacle to connection.
With this in mind, let’s review some laws connected to each one of the five M’s:
Megillah — We recite three blessings over the Megillah and read it in the night and day.
Meal (“seudah” in Hebrew) — We enjoy a feast on Purim day, after midday. Wine is consumed (at least more than usual, many drink more) and words of Torah are shared. It’s preferable to include meat and bread in this meal.
Mishloach Manot (“gift sending”) — On Purim day, we exchange at least two different ready-to-eat foods or drinks (learned from the word manot, which is plural) to one person.
Matanot Le’evyonim (“gifts for the poor”) — On Purim day, we deliver at least two monetary gifts (learned from the plural matanot, gifts) to two different people (learned from the plural evyonim, poor), one per person in need. The more gifts we send, the better!
Masks — A reminder to not limit this custom to medical masks alone! Be creative with this as it reminds us how everything flipped around for the Jews during Purim (Esther 6:11).
May things “flip around” for us this year, and may this spirit of unity accompany us as we join together for good things — healthy and in-person — over the months to come. Purim sameach!
Rabbi Dr. Eli Yoggev serves Pikesville’s Beth Tfiloh Congregation.
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