See Hashem!

In the evening of Purim there is a commandment to hear the reading of  Megillat  Esther. The time that the Megilla is being read is a very, very high and holy time. About  this time is written something wonderful, that this is like the time of  Matan  Torah (the giving of the Torah) itself on Mt. Siani! Rebbe Nachman of  Breslev  writes that the time of the reading of the Megillah is a time that is capable of waking a person up from their spiritual slumber. People are often stuck in spiritual sleep, but during the reading of the Megillah, a person can really wake up spiritually and have the merit to receive complete emuna (faith), and receive other huge spiritual gifts. 

In a lot of synagogues, the Evil Inclination finds ways to grab the Megillah reading and all the spiritual benefits away from people. What happens? People make “special” noise and throw firecrackers and other explosives around, and think that this is hurting Haman. They don’t understand that this is actually giving Haman life! 

It’s true that there’s a custom to make a little bit of noise when the name “Haman” is mentioned during the reading of the Megillah. So the “Ben Ish Chai” says to make noise during the first and the last mentions of “Haman” in the Megillah, with your feet on the floor. And that’s all. 

Of course, the children will make a little noise, jump around and play a little. But no more than that! 

There’s a lot of people that have difficulty breathing, and really get hurt from firecrackers and other explosives being set off. It makes things hard for them in a way that’s hard for the rest of us to understand. And it also disturbs people from being able to hear the Megillah word-for-word, like we are commanded to do.  

Needless to say, a custom cannot detract from a commandment! It’s necessary to hear every single word! Don’t miss out on hearing even one word! So that we can wake up from our spiritual sleep. 

What is special about the Scroll of Esther? In all the other holidays we read about miracles that are apparently much bigger than what we see in the story of Purim. In Pesach, we read about the ten plagues, the well of Miriam and the splitting of the Red Sea. In Sukkot, the seven clouds of glory. For Shavuot, the giving of the Torah. What miracles, what revelation of Hashem in this world! That Hashem revealed himself to us and He himself spoke to all of the people of Israel.  

Compared to all this, what is Purim? A nice story. But no outright miracles… everything happened according to “reality,” according to the laws of nature. But that’s the amazing thing! Regarding Purim, we see that there is indeed a Creator in this world Who directs the world, directs all the affairs of the world, and that everything that happens in the world is because of what He decides. Everything!  

From the Megillah we can actually “see” the personal supervision of Hashem, how Hashem arranges every single detail of what happens to them in an incredibly precise way. So now you can realize that your whole life – every single event, every single detail – also happens with Hashem’s personal Divine supervision. And in all of this, Hashem is sending messages that we can learn from. 

It is also important to thank Hashem for every single thing that happens during the story of the Megillah. For instance, if not for Vashti refusing to come before King Achashverosh, Esther would not have been Queen in her place to save the Jews. So when Vashti refuses to come, think to yourself (not out loud) – thank you Hashem that Vashti wouldn’t go! That wasn’t a coincidence, the Midrash says that she was stricken and therefore could not go. Hashem did that! Recognize it and say thank You. 

See also Holy Purim Nights, You Too Can Have a Purim Miracle, and Prepare for Success.