An Inverted Reality
Following the miraculous hostage rescue in Rafah over a month ago, a few of the IDF officers who took part in the mission shared their experiences during an impactful media interview:
“Was the risk worth the rescue of two people?” the reporter asked. Commander D doesn't think for long and answers: "We don't look at in terms of a person being worth the life of another, and if two soldiers die the operation is a failure. It's not a zero-sum game. There is something here that's far bigger in its substance. I won't say that we in the unit are worth less, but we've taken on ourselves the understanding that we're ready to be harmed for something bigger than a single person, that's who we are."
Commander A: "On a personal level there was fear. During the preparations and the battle procedure, I had big butterflies in my stomach and thoughts about what might happen and how to respond during the operation....But during the operation itself, my pulse was 60. I can't explain it."
There are many aspects of our lives which are dictated by logic and reason. We invest our time, resources, and energy in building relationships and looking for returns that bring us joy, good health, wealth and a sense of accomplishment. These may include many worthwhile pursuits, but they ultimately further our own goals and agendas.
But then there are moments in time when we need to suspend our logic and ego and be ready to make a sacrifice for the sake of something greater than ourselves.
Many of our soldiers have ordinary lives with a spouse and young children waiting for them at home, but they willingly go out to battle and risk their lives knowing that they are fighting on behalf of the Jewish people.
In this week’s Torah portion, Vayikra, we learn about the various sacrifices offered to G-d in the Temple. The Hebrew term for sacrifice is Korban which shares the root word of Kerov (i.e. close). Through sacrificing and offering something which is valuable to us for a higher Divine purpose, we also become closer to G-d and the people around us as a result.
The sacrifices were a medium through which closeness and intimacy were established between G‑d and human beings, and in a broader sense, between Him and every aspect of the world at large.
Although the literal service of the animal and meal sacrifices have not been offered since the destruction of the Temple close to 2000 years ago, the inner meaning behind this holy service is still relevant within each of us in our own daily lives.
Every person contains both a G-dly soul and an animal soul. The G-dly soul, which is literally a piece of G‑d, is infinite and unbounded and is completely selfless. The animal soul, however, is a part of our personality which is concerned with taking care of its physical needs; eating, drinking, working, sleeping, and doing anything else that will make us satisfied.
One of the unique dimensions of a human being is that our brain has the ability to control our feelings and desires. But when a person allows the animal in themself to control their conduct, they do nothing with this human potential. This is the eternal lesson of bringing a sacrifice. It is a process of growth, in which a person elevates the animal inside of themself, and teaches it to look upward and appreciate a higher purpose by living a meaningful and elevated life.
This coming week (evening of March 23-March 24) we celebrate the holiday of Purim, one of the most joyous times of the year. It commemorates the Divinely orchestrated salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian empire from Haman’s plot to commit genocide against the Jewish people: “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day (Esther 3:13).”
While the very existence of the Jewish nation was in jeopardy, not one Jew denounced their Judaism to be spared from the decree. Rather they were ready to sacrifice their life in recognition that they were fighting for something much greater than themselves.
One of the climatic events in the Purim story was when Mordechai asks his cousin Queen Esther to entreat King Achashverosh to save the Jewish people. Initially Esther replies that she can’t, because if she does, her life will be in danger.
He responds to her, "Do not imagine to yourself that you will escape in the king's house from among all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and rescue will arise for the Jews from elsewhere, and you and your father's household will perish...Who knows? Perhaps for this very moment, you have been brought to royalty (Esther 4:12–14).”
Esther agreed to speak to the king, but only if Mordechai and the Jews would fast and pray for three consecutive days. Esther bravely approached Achashverosh without prior appointment—an act punishable by death—and invited him and Haman to a private party, at which she invited them both to a second party.
At the second party, the time was right for Esther to reveal her true identity to the king and the threat of annihilation her people were facing. Ultimately the tables turn, Achashverosh agrees to save the Jewish people and Haman along with his sons are executed.
On the 13th of Adar, the Jews mobilized and killed many of their enemies. On the 14th of Adar, they rested and celebrated. In the capital city of Shushan, they took one more day to finish the job. Ever since that day, Purim is celebrated as a joyous holiday each year.
On Purim there are unique customs to dress up in costumes and for adults to become inebriated with wine to the point that we can no longer differentiate between cursed is Haman & blessed is Mordechai. This reminds us that we often live in an inverted reality and there is much more to life than what meets the eye.
While throughout most of the year we must use our logic and understanding to dictate our behavior, Purim is a time of allowing ourselves to rise above the limitations of logic and recognize that we are part of something greater than ourselves.
It is for that reason that the specific observances of Purim are all about connecting and uniting with our communities through gifting food to our friends, giving charity to the poor, listening to the story of the Megillah and enjoying a festive feast. Purim is one holiday we can not celebrate alone.
The Midrash declares that In the future, all the holidays will be nullified, except the days of Purim will never be nullified… (Yalkut Shimoni, Mishlei, 944). The Sages explain that while of course we will continue to commemorate and observe all the holidays and Mitzvot in the time of redemption, however, the joy and tranquility of the festivals will be a daily experience. We will be aware of the deeper dimensions behind the creation of the world and therefore we will find joy and purpose in every moment of our day.
Yet even in that spiritually advanced climate, the loftiness of Purim will still be something to celebrate. For the miracle of Purim represents the essence of who we are. On Purim we demonstrate that even the mundane aspects of our lives are imbued with a sense of a higher purpose. This recognition enables us to unite with one another and experience true joy.
Purim Observances:
Reading of the Megillah (book of Esther), which recounts the story of the Purim miracle. This is done once on the eve of Purim and then again on the following day.
Giving money gifts to at least two poor people.
Sending gifts of two kinds of food to at least one person.
A festive Purim feast, which often includes Hamantashen, wine, fish, meat, bread/Challah and other delicacies.
