March 2025 - Purim: The Hidden Light

This week we celebrate our zany, fun holiday of Purim. It’s a topsy turvy time with things upside down and unexpected. We dress up in costume and masks, hiding our faces, and it’s an opportunity to be someone you usually aren’t. A little schnapps for the adults is ok too, and then maybe we even won’t know the difference between Mordechai and Haman! 
 
Our hero, Esther, was originally named Hadassah, which means “myrtle.” (You may remember the Hadas (myrtle) that we hold and shake with the other species on Sukkot.) Hadassah’s name was changed to Esther to hide her identity, and with that she saved our people. Her name, Esther, actually means “hidden” or “star.” 
 
So, put together, the holiday of Purim teaches us that there is a hidden light within each of us just waiting to be revealed. It is a quality that exists but is yet to be seen. This may be a type of boldness, a sensitivity, a humor, a talent, or anything you may have inside, that the world needs. One of your hidden qualities may just be an addition to tikun olam, the repairing of the world, which we all seek to do.
 
I will be chanting some of The Book of Esther at Beth El Congregation of the South Hills on Thursday evening this week, and if you would like to zoom in, please email me at the synagogue (Cantorrenabsjc@comcast.net) for the link.
 
Be sure to join us at Beth Samuel this Sunday morning at 10am for a presentation of “Esther in Rhyme,” and a Purim skit by our Religious School students. There will be games, prizes, lots of food and the best hamantaschen in town (thank you Karen Beaudway and her bakers)! 
 
Remember, God is constantly working to help us bring our inner light into the world, so let your beautiful light shine!

B’shalom,
Cantor Rena