Two Days of Purim

When king Achashverosh gave permission to the Jews fight off their enemies, he allowed an extra day for those in Shushan. The day after Purim, called Shushan Purim, is celebrated to mark this special phenomenon. In a sense this is more than just an historical commemoration; it celebrates the ability in general, to add to good in a meaningful way.

The significance of Shushan being a walled city is not a mere coincidence; it contains a powerful lesson as well. When fighting the battle against the evil inclination, it’s important to erect walls to prevent the evil from penetrating. This is not just done reactively, but in an active way; by surrounding ourselves with Torah and mitzvos.