Based on the Kabbalah of the Holy Ari z”l
Pree Etz Hayyim by Haim Vial
Purim isthe most thoroughly joyful of Jewish holidays — highlighted by celebrations that include costumes, skits, noisemakers, and varying degrees of rowdiness. It celebrates the biblical story of how a plot to exterminate Jews in Persia was thwarted. Sadly, this year the story line reflects aspects of realty in 2024.
Purim, also called the Festival of Lots, recalls a riveting story in Megilat Esther The Hebrew Scroll of Esther.
My teacher, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi zt”l, would refer to this time as the adolescence of the year. Purim often invites “adolescent” behavior – mischief, pushing boundaries, and becoming so intoxicated the difference between cursed Haman and Blessed Mordecai is blurred. Our sister and brother communities celebrate Mardi Gras and St Patrick’s Day around this time. The festivities are similar in spirit.
MEGILAT ESTHER
I love Hebrew and her kaleidoscopic nuances. Each word can hold multiple levels of expression. When we translate the words Megilat Esther (מגילת אסתר), the inner meaning of Purim is revealed.
Megilat (מגילת) is often translated as “scroll of.” It shares a root with legalot (לגלות), which means to reveal. Megilat Esther can be translated as “Esther’s revelations.”
Hidden in the name Esther (אסתר) is the word סתר, which translates as “secret.” Then, Megilat Esther is translated as Secret Revelations.
Things are not always the way they appear. We are invited to look beneath the surface. The invitation is to see the unity in all matters; even when the darkness looms large, a silver lining Is waiting to be revealed and when goodness and blessings manifest, a shadow side always exists. This is a secret of life and balance.
Elixer and Smoke, Esther and Mordecai
Fragrance is the most elevated direct sense of our five senses. Unlike the other senses, it connects directly to the brain. Our sages teach that the sense of smell is the single sense not blemished in the Garden of Eden.
The two heroes and the Purim story both have a second name.
Esther”s other name is Hadassah, which translates as myrtle. Hadas is one of the four species used on Sukkot to bless the six directions of Earth’s space time continuum. I make tea from myrtle leaves. It has a gentle, sweet, floral fragrance and flavor. I drink it and invite Queen Esther’s presence. Perhaps she will share a secret.
Mordecai’s second name is Mar Dror, which translates as myrrh. This resin is one of the ingredients in the sacred incense used in the Temple in Jerusalem and has an exquisite Earthy aroma.
The fragrances are each beautiful and very different, like two ends of a spectrum. One elevates, the other grounds – connecting heaven and Earth. It is an plea to the Creator of All. Help and Presence are needed now more than ever. Pleasae G-d, free our hostages, deliver us from Hamas, and keep the Jewish community united and healthy. May it be the will.
I’d love to hear how you experiment with this fragrant ancestral connection.
Happy Purim
