Dear readers,

While reading up on Purim, the historical context of the story suddenly hit me.

After nearly 1,000 years in Israel, the Jews were living in exile. Assimilation was at an all-time high, morale at an all-time low. Most of the prophets were gone, and it remained questionable whether Judaism could survive without a Temple at its nucleus.

When Haman wickedly plotted to wipe out all Jews, there was a simple way out: assimilate into Persian culture and be spared. There were no prophets to rebuke them, no miracles to inspire them. And yet, the Jews rallied behind Mordechai and stayed loyal to G‑d.

It was a pivotal moment in Jewish history. They decided, on their own terms, that they would live as Jews. And G‑d saved them.

“Why be Jewish?” is a question so many ask today. And our answer must go beyond—and give greater depth to—words like “tradition,” “history,” “culture.” We must live Jewishly in a way that is uniquely relevant to us. Through deepening our Jewish understanding and observance, we each become the next link in the chain that began at Sinai and will lead us to Moshiach and the era of universal perfection.

We did it once, and we will do it again.

Happy Purim!

Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar,
Responder for Ask the Rabbi @ Chabad.org