Shalom My Gantseh Megillah Family and Friends,

The cover Arnold created for this month’s Megillah clearly illustrates the bottom-line message of Purim. As it is with many other Jewish holidays, Purim deals with courage in the face of evil. The willingness to recognize a threat to our wellbeing and the determination to face it head on is what makes the history of our people so inspiring.

One of the happier symbols of Purim comes in the variety of masks we use to signify the various characters in the Megillah (in this case the Megillah Esther, not our humble Gantseh Megillah.) At parties adults and children alike don colourful masks and have a wonderful time hiding behind their familiar identities.

Along with the masks we have the graggers whose sole purpose is to make ear piercing noise whenever the archvillain Haman’s name is mentioned during the Megillah reading. So reviled is this despot's name that the very sound of it must be avoided no matter how much racket it takes to accomplish that. And I can tell you from past experience, the racket can be impressive.

When confronting evil many of us are content to hide behind a mask of denial and behave as if the threat simply does not exist. Others of us pick up our virtual graggers and make a noise so as to warn those around us of the threat and to express in no uncertain terms that this evil will be met with bold determination and courage. As safe and secure as a mask may allow us to feel, it will hardly protect us from the very real harm our enemies have in store.

During the Purim festivities we wear our masks as a means of ridiculing those who plotted against us, as well as glorifying the heroes of our salvation. But when it comes to the actual acknowledgement of the evildoer Haman, the masks come off and the noise begins.

In our modern times it is important to look at the faces or masks of the characters around us in order to separate our friends from our enemies. But once the enemy is determined, our graggers must be employed so all are alerted to the danger in our midst.

I realize all of this can sound a bit theatrical or perhaps even a tad paranoid, but it is important to remember that in the past too many people hid behind the masks and never reached for their graggers. The warning was never raised, and the masks were never removed. It is always important to think and observe carefully before determining the existence of a threat. We must never mistake disagreement with evil intent. But when a real enemy is at the gate, they must hear the deafening noise of dissent and courage so that they will realize we will not be overtaken by bully force or blind hatred.

I wish all the members of my Megillah family and their loved ones a joyous Purim. This is a holiday when it is truly appropriate to eat, drink and be merry. Let us pray for many reasons for the feelings of joy to continue.

Much love to all of you,
Michael