Post date: Mar 21, 2011 3:25:43 AM
(As Purim comes to a close, I leave you with a couple ideas that relate to the day of Shushan Purim. –Ed.)
The word “Purim” in the Megilah
The Mishnah in Megilah indicates that while all of the Mitzvos of Purim can only be fulfilled on the 14th or 15th of Adar, the Mitzvah of reading the Megilah could theoretically be fulfilled on the 11th, 12th, or 13th. This is hinted to in the Megilah. Twice the word Purim is written “פורים” (Purim with a vav, 9:26 and 9:28) and three times it’s written “פרים” (Purim without a vav, 9:29, 9:31 and 9:32).
Rabbi Yitzchak Sender points out that the five appearances of the word hint to the five days on which the Megilah could be read. But the word is written full only twice, indicating that on only two of those days can all of the Mitzvos be fulfilled on the same day—thus fully celebrating the holiday on that day.
(Inside Purim from The Commentator’s Al Hanissim: Purim)
----------
Two Days of Purim
To give honor to Eretz Yisrael, Chazal (Talmud Yerushalmi, Megilah 1:5) established that cities that were walled from the days of Yehoshua bin Nun celebrate the day after Purim, and that this holiday is called Shushan Purim. What is the connection between the miracle of Purim and Yehoshua (who lived much earlier)? In fact, the city of Shushan itself wasn’t even walled in the days of Yeshoshua!?
In the first war with Amalek in Midbar Sinai, Bnei Yisrael merely fought back—they only defended themselves. In the second war with Amalek (during the reign of King Shaul), Bnei Yisrael actually initiated the war. The time frame of the Purim miracle includes both of these modes of war.
On the first day, the Jews fought in their own defense. But on the second day, Esther requested that the Jews be allowed to fight back and seek out their enemies—more than just defend against an attack.
Likewise, in the Torah, before it states “וְהֵנִיחַ לָכֶם מִכָּל-אֹיְבֵיכֶם מִסָּבִיב” (V’heini’ach luchem mikol oy’veichem meesuveev/When Hashem gives you rest from your enemies, Devarim 12:10) we only defended ourselves against Amalek. However, after this statement (in the time of Shaul), we actively sought out our enemy.
Similarly, the initial battle recorded in the Megilah was a defensive one because it happened before the statement of “וְנוֹחַ מֵאֹיְבֵיהֶם” (v’noach mei’oyveihem/and they rested from their enemies, 9:16), unlike the second day of fighting.
From the moment Yehoshua conquered Eretz Yisrael, we were bound by three specific Mitzvos: (1) wiping out Amalek, (2) appointing a king, and (3) building the Beis Hamikdash. This is the connection between the 15th of Adar and walled cities from the time of Yehoshua. In Yehoshua’s time, Bnei Yisrael were required to seek out Amalek in order to wipe them out. This is similar to the second day of fighting in the time of the miracle of Purim, in that the Jews actively hunted down Amalek.
(Purim in a New Light)
----------
I hope that these Divrei Torah (and scattered Divrei Schok) enhanced your Purim and the time leading up to it. I personally benefitted from the time I spent reviewing these Divrei Torah. For that I thank you.
I will retain this subscription list with the hope that I will be able to produce something similar in the near future. If you wish to opt out, please let me know.
Until next time…
Josh Mishkin