Purim 5770 - February 28, 2010

The Racist Was Right

To Haman, all Jews were the same thing, a package deal. It was a single individual, Mordechai, who refused to bow down to him, but he plotted to kill them all. In fact, when he petitioned Ahasuerus for permission to kill the Jews, he presented them as "a singular nation scattered among the peoples..."

Haman was a purveyor of stereotypes and an evil man. But maybe... he had a point.

Though we might live in different countries, though we might differ in a thousand ways (in our level of computer geekery, in our ability to grow a herb garden, and even in soul matters such as Torah scholarship or mitzvah observance), we – every Jewish man, woman, and child – constitute a single nation: a nation unequivocally committed to G‑d.

As we celebrate this Purim, let's keep this message close to heart. Every one of us was on Haman's hit list—every one of us deserves to have a part in this holiday.

Do you know someone with whom you can share the Purim message? Perhaps a Jewish neighbor or colleague who is not familiar with this joyous holiday? Consider inviting him or her to join you at a local Purim event, or for your Purim feast. Or maybe send them a Mishloach Manot.

Our nation's unity has gotten us through hard times in the past, and will continue to pull us through again and again.