This Purim, we are all Esthers

While the costumes, the candy, and the celebrations lead many to refer to the holiday of Purim as “the Jewish Halloween,” the vastness of literature in the Book of Esther, the heavy history, and remembering the existential nature of the threat the Jewish people have faced in the days of Haman, lends a solemn note to this most joyous holiday in the Jewish calendar. This year, for the first time in my lifetime, many American Jews are going to relate to this aspect of Purim in ways never contemplated in the past. While the war in Gaza and concern for the hostages occupied our entire being last Purim, the realization that antisemitism has changed everything for us right here in America has been seared into the consciousness of American Jews. For the first time in our lifetime, American Jews realize we are all Esthers and that there are all too many Hamans out there in the open. 

Reading through the Scroll of Esther, like in so many court intrigues and royal dramas, the theme of silence runs through every aspect of the story. Who do you trust? When do you listen, and when do you break your silence? From Esther abiding by Mordechai’s instructions not to reveal her identity to Mordechai eavesdropping on the assassins trying to take the life of King Xerxes, all the way to when Mordechai implores Esther to break her silence and defend her people, the struggle between when to remain silent and when to speak out is ever present in the Book of Esther. 

Even God Himself is viewed through this lens of silence and action, as Jewish tradition teaches us that the name Esther comes from the same Hebrew word as hidden, pointing to the fact that God’s name is not mentioned once in the entire book of Esther. Yes, God is seen as the director and savior throughout the story of Esther, but it is all done in a natural way, without the open miracles we are used to. 

Seeing the wave of antisemitism washing over so many universities and institutions, the only thing to shock American Jews more than antisemitism itself is the feeling of shock by how few in those very institutions have spoken out against antisemitism. This year, Purim will be different than any Purim we have seen in our lifetime because so many American Jews have been walking that balance between speaking out, and waiting for the right opportunity to speak out. Each and every one of us is torn between the Esther in us, who is inclined not to stir things up and remain silent, and the voice of Mordechai raising the alarm in our hearts, saying, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and rescue will arise for the Jews from elsewhere…and who knows whether at a time like this you have attained kingdom?” (Esther 4:14)

This year, Jews have seen many Hamans openly expressing their intentions for us, openly chanting calls for “intifada,” “there is only one solution,” “min maya el maya — from water to water, Palestine must be Arab,” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” but we have also seen many Esthers–Jewish and non-Jewish. 

From Congressman Tim Walberg, chairman of the US House Education and Workforce Committee, who has been holding universities accountable for antisemitism on campus, to Eric Hogue, president of Colorado Christian University, for extending an invitation to Jewish students to his campus, where he assured them they would not be subjected to antisemitic hate. Karoline Preisler, a German politician who showed up weekly to anti-Israel protests in Berlin, silently standing up to the wave of hate so many Western capitals have seen, is another one of many who stood against hate. We have seen Jews like Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer, Gal Gadot, and David Schwimmer stand proudly and speak out against antisemitism, along with thousands of brave Jewish students in schools, high schools, and campuses, rising up to say, enough. 

This Purim, will be different than any other Purim before. The urgency to speak out and take action against antisemitism has kindled the spirit of Esther in the hearts of so many in our generation. The joy of Purim will be mixed with realistic sobriety and recognition that there are Hamans in every generation and that there are an Esther and a Mordechai in the hearts of each and every person of integrity and courage.