Despite our Jewishly optimistic view of the world , we are toooften slapped with the painful reminder from the Haggadah that “ in every generation they rise up to destroy us .” The Gaza War is tragically notable for being ignited by the greatest rising up and murder of Jews since the Shoah . The enemy surprised and attacked Israelis who were neglected , unguarded - at the rear - those living at the border , the most vulnerable among any in southern Israel . In Israel ’ s noble and God-like effort to protect Jewish lives and to eradicate evil the IDF has taken perhaps more enemy lives than any time since Purim , and with them , unfortunately , the terribly sad loss of life among non-combatants .
The very shifting of the ground extends beyond Gaza to Jewish communities around the world that are reeling from an onslaught of Jew-hatred that is unmasked , unequivocal and violently unleashed . We connect this Torah reading to Purim because it is meant to be our awakening to a new form of Holocaust Denial - our suicidal disbelief that another Holocaust is possible . “ Zachor - Remember ” that Amalek and Haman attempted to destroy you . “ Do not forget !” that this threat may come at any time , anywhere . No matter when , even now ; no matter where , even here .
In addition to Purim , we bear another eternal gift . We will forever be nourished by the fruits from a Tree of Life that inspire us to bring the enduring relevance and overwhelming joy of Torah to the world . A Torah whose unique insights travel back with us to our little town where we find that the parties standing at the crossroads of life and death are , in reality , trembling within us . It is we who call upon Jewish wisdom to withstand our conflicting emotions when Israel is still suffering from war and we are at Purim .
This is what will transpire within us on Purim . We will become the celebratory wedding party . We will enjoy the right of way . We will pass before the funeral . We will traverse the
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