* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
And who knows, perhaps you have attained a royal position for just such a crisis?
Purim is coming and we need to prepare. We will be reading the Megillah this Thursday night and Friday morning, and there is one line from the Megillah that is important to consider in every area of our lives.
At the height of the crisis of impending annihilation facing the Jewish people, Mordechai sends the following message to Esther: “And who knows, perhaps you have attained a royal position for just such a crisis?”
Mordechai is telling Esther: You have not have attainedthe position of queen by sheer coincidence. Everything that you experienced in your life until now has brought you here because this is your moment to take action—precisely in this place and at this time. Use all your strength and courage to fulfill your God-given mission.
Esther makes the right choice, and this moment becomes a significant turning point in our nation’s history. Our sages write that Mordechai’s message is one that each of us can apply to less dramatic situations: A teacher facing a student who has repeatedly failed, can with one thoughtful message, boost her self-confidence; an army general can motivate a soldier who has given up; a boss can payattention to a worker; a friend can notice someone going through a hard time; and, of course, parents and family members can help to turn a situation around.
It is not for nought that we, with our unique talents and abilities, find ourselves in a particular situation. It is our task to look around us, identify what still needs to be repaired in the world, and to ask ourselves: “And who knows, perhaps I have attained a royal position for just such a crisis?”—perhaps I am here today for this particular purpose.
Happy Purim!
Esther donned garments of royalty
What are the most powerful words, in my opinion, in Megillat Esther? What message can we take with us from Purim?
At the decisive moment in the Megillah when Esther hears about the edict to destroy the Jewish people and decides to take action, it is written:“Esther donned garments of royalty.”
“Garments of royalty” is not clothing that can be purchased, royalty is what you carry with you on the inside. It is your connection to your true identity, your mission, the holiness of your actions — to eternity.
“Esther donned garments of royalty.” And when she acts with self-confidence, conviction and a deep connection to her people and to God, everything begins to turn around and fall into place.
I shared this idea with hundreds of teenage girls at a Purim event. The message I wanted to convey was that each one of them can “dress with royalty” and not be dependent on social pressure, “what others will say,” or on social media. They can stand up tall and proud.
May we all merit to “dress with royalty”.
