Purim is indeed a holiday that is celebrated by Jews to commmemorate the events that happened in Esther. It’s not something that many other people celebrate, to which I ask, why not?
For starters, Purim is the celebration of the salvation of the Jews from certain death that was appointed to them. That’s something to celebrate. Secondly, the decree by Mordecai for how to celebrate Purim is something that we all can join in and implement. Let’s look at the text.
Esther 9:20-22 “And Mordecai recorded these things and sent letters to all the Jews who were in all the provinces of King Ahasuerus, both near and far, 21 obliging them to keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar and also the fifteenth day of the same, year by year, 22 as the days on which the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month that had been turned for them from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, days for sending gifts of food to one another and gifts to the poor.”
As a memorial celebration, Mordecai recommended that they make the 14th day of the twelfth month a day of feasting and gladness. And it was also a day for sending gifts of food to others and sending gifts to the poor. I don’t know if any of you have experienced this, but I’m old enough to remember neighbors bringing cookies or a pie over just because it was something that was done. Or we would invite family or neighbors over for a meal. That doesn’t happen so much anymore. Maybe Purim could be a time to share food with one another.
The last thing Mordecai suggested was giving gifts to the poor. Giving to the poor is something that we can do any day of the year, but why not make it an annual event on Purim to find a family or individual in need and help them out. Whether it is giving them groceries or supplies that they need, like clothing, daipers, or household items, or paying for an outstanding bill that they cannot pay. Find a need and fill it. And use Purim as an excuse to put it on the calendar to remember to do it. Afterall, it’s something that God expects us to do. Consider the parable of the sheep and the goats.
Matthew 25:33-40 “And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
