Kavanot for Purim, Doing Purim Right

Masquerading:

The mask of Purim should be worn with a sense of wonder and awe. This is no mere costume party. Megilat Ester opens with the story of Queen Vashti who refused to uncover herself before the company of her king. A surface reading of the text encourages the praise of Vashti as a heroin of modesty, however, a deeper consideration for the words of our megilah expose an underlying contrast between the queen and her successor.

While Vashti’s refusal to uncover herself at the request of the king leads to her downfall, Ester saves her nation through her willingness to expose her identity even at the risk of death. The hidden message here speaks to the veiled nature of salvation. Both Moshe Rabeinu and Yosef HaTzadik brought salvation when they emerged from deep within the Egyptian royal house. Wearing the mask of Purim should fill our hearts with an awareness of the mystery and brilliance of our ultimate salvation. While Mashiach remains hidden, we look forward to a day when Yeshua will rise up from the nations to reveal his true face. Like Ester our redeemer He will turn the world around and transform the outcome of history.

Jesting:

The Jewish appreciation for comedy is deeper than it might seem. This is true in general and truer still at Purim. Even from mishnaic times it has been a custom to tell Jokes. The Talmud relates that a good Rabbi should tell a joke before learning Torah with his students in order to expand their consciousness. As an extension of this, Chasidus finds great spirituality in humor.

There is an idea in our tradition that humor before Torah learning can actually protect us from our negative inclination. It is as if Satan enters the house of study to disrupt the holy activity usually found in such a place. When the enemy of our souls finds only jokesters involved in what would appear to be simple jesting and frivolity he leaves with a sense that his work has already been accomplished. The men or women inside appear to be distracted from Torah and he finds no need to waste his time.

A joke in itself is about a twist, a punch line at the end of a story that flips the expected outcome on its head. The pattern of humor before Torah speaks to the ultimate twist, holiness from what would appear unholy and redemption from the most unlikely source. From laughter itself we learn this lesson. It can be compared to a man who finds his friend doubled over on the ground unable to speak with tears in his eyes laughing uncontrollably. Until close investigation it may be difficult for the man to discern whether his friend is laughing or in pain. During Purim our humor reflects the ultimate twist, the punch line of history. When it seems that all hope is lost Mashiach will be revealed. He will turn our mourning into dancing and our tears into rejoicing.

Drinking:

It is a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. Like all other aspects of this holiday the custom seems irreverent from the surface but nevertheless ultimately proves itself profound. Mashiach said, “I came eating and drinking and you call me a glutton and a drunk.” Our tradition attributes great meaning to the proper use of alcohol. On Purim the proper intention is to remove the mask and expose our true nature. Conducted correctly with the separation of men and women alcohol should be consumed on Purim with the holy intention of weakening our body’s resistance to the rejoicing of our souls. Personally I drink very little during the year and reserve occasions like Purim for the practice. With each shout of “L’Chayim” I imagine a veil being removed. On Purim we drink to make a tikkun in the world and uncover the reality of salvation.

This year lets masquerade, laugh, and drink with the kind of kavanah that can bring our redemption!