Our sages tell us that if there is one lesson we can learn from the story of the Megillah, it’s the importance of humility. This seems strange as there seems to be no direct link between humility and the way that we celebrate Purim today. A closer look at the Megillah however will show that a major theme of the Purim story is a battle between those seeking honour for themselves and those fleeing from it.
In the first chapter we have a battle of egos between King Achashverosh, who’s very name (chashav rosh - thinks he’s top) highlights his arrogant nature, and his wife Vashti. The king orders that the queen be brought down wearing nothing but the royal crown and paraded in front of everyone just so he can show that despite her royal bloodline, he is the one in charge. Her refusal ultimately leads to her demise. The antagonist of the Megillah is Haman, who insists that everyone should bow down to him. He is also referred to as an Aggagite, the root of the word (gag - roof) also gives us an insight into the ego of our villain.
The month of Adar, in which Purim falls, is represented by the astrological sign of a fish. Fish and water are often used in order to teach us lessons of humility. Fish are generally hidden from us swimming under the surface, shying away from the spotlight. Water itself naturally looks to find the lowest point, so to speak it’s always looking to be as low as it can be. Water evaporates, it’s here today and gone tomorrow.
Now that we understand that the Megillah has clear themes of ego versus humility, we can look at one the most crucial scenes in the story and see this battle playing out. In chapter six of the Megillah, the king can’t sleep and asks that his book of chronicles be read out to him. He quickly discovers that Mordechai has yet to be rewarded for thwarting the plot of Bigtan and Teresh and saving his life. While this is going on, Haman is on his way to request that Mordechai be killed.
When Haman arrives, Achashverosh asks what should be done to a man that the king wants to honour. Haman cannot conceive of anyone else more worthy of honour than himself, so he suggests an elaborate makeover and parade in the royal robes on the king’s horse. Mordechai’s life is saved and he lives to see another day.
Jumping back to the end of chapter two, the Megillah tells us that once Mordechai became aware of the conspiring Bigtan and Teresh, he informed Esther who told the king, citing Mordechai as her source. One of the great lessons in humility is this very act of Esther and the importance of quoting others in their name.
How often do we tell a joke or a story and neglect to say where we heard it? Initially this might not seem like such a big deal but when our friends laugh at our joke a little voice echoes in our minds saying, “I told that joke, MY joke was funny”. Of course this sounds ridiculous but when it comes down to it, quoting other people and giving credit where it’s due is an admittance that we are reliant on other people and that is what we can learn from this episode. If Esther hadn’t given Mordechai the credit, Achashverosh would have allowed him to be killed at Haman’s request and the Purim story would have been very different.
This Purim we should think less of ourselves and more about other people by giving mishloach manot and matanot l’evyonim, gifts to our friends and charity. We should partake in a Purim meal and enjoy the food not for physical indulgence but rather to help us appreciate what we have. And whilst listening to the Megillah we should listen out for the story of humility played out with Mordechai and Esther.
