One Nation: Am Yisrael Chai!

The holiday of Purim, beginning Saturday night after nightfall, commemorates the Jews’ victory over the wicked Haman and the antisemites of his day. The fortune of the Jewish people turned from bleakness and dread to complete and utter victory, seemingly overnight.

But Haman himself planted the seeds for this victory. In his proposed plan to annihilate the Jews, he said, “There is one nation, spread and splintered among the nations.” He thought that despite the G-d of the Jews always coming through for His people, in this instance, the Jews would not have G-d’s protection because they were splintered and lacking unity.

His mistake was that he didn’t pay heed to his own words. Even while referring to the Jews as “spread and splintered,” he still called them “one nation” – even in their lower moments, they were still one. And that’s what eventually led to his downfall and our victory.

Throughout history, including nowadays, the Jewish people may seem divided and lacking a unified front. However, even under such circumstances, that element of Jewish unity can never be extinguished. No matter how splintered we may seem, we are still “one nation”—a single entity.

The Purim story is directly relevant to our world. As the Megillah tells us, when we celebrate Purim each year, the miraculous events of Purim are “remembered and reenacted” in our lives.

One does not have to look far to find Haman’s modern-day heirs. Now, as then, evil schemers seek to erase us from the face of the earth, Heaven forfend. Each time they come to destroy us, their schemes are foiled by the miraculous Hand of G-d. Since the war broke out in October, we have seen miracles upon miracles in the merit of the Mitzvot that we do.

Despite centuries of persecution, we have survived and flourished by the Grace of G-d. For nearly 2,000 years, hoping and praying for the final and complete Redemption that will end suffering and exile forever. May Purim take place with the coming of Moshiach, whose imminent arrival will bring about a better life for all the nations of the world.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim!

Shabbat candle lighting in NYC is 6:53 PM. To learn more about Purim, please visit VirtualPurim.org.