As we approach the joyous holiday of Purim, we are reminded of one of the most powerful messages in Jewish history: No matter how dark the situation may seem, we must never give up hope. The story of Purim itself is a perfect example of this.
The Book of Esther, as we know, tells the story of a Jewish people who were faced with an almost certain annihilation. The decree of Haman seemed irreversible, and the situation appeared hopeless. Yet, in the midst of the darkest moment, when all seemed lost, Hashem’s hidden hand orchestrated a miraculous salvation. The Talmud (Megillah 15b) teaches us that while the miracles of Purim were hidden, they were no less miraculous. Even when it seemed as though Hashem had abandoned the Jewish people, the salvation came, demonstrating that hope must never be lost, even when we cannot see Hashem’s presence directly.
The Gemara (Shabbos 88a) teaches us that when a person is in despair, he or she should reflect on the miracles of Purim. It’s a reminder that when things seem bleak, Hashem is always working behind the scenes, orchestrating a path forward. In the case of Purim, the Jewish people were on the verge of destruction, yet it was precisely through the darkness that their salvation emerged.
Purim teaches us that no matter how grim our situation may seem, we are never beyond redemption. The Rambam (Hilchos T’shuvah 7:3) reminds us that there is always room for t’shuvah and change, and just like the Jews of Persia who turned the tide, we, too, can find a way forward through faith and perseverance.
As we prepare for Purim, let us remember that the true message of the holiday is that there is always hope, even in the darkest of times. Just as the Jews were saved from destruction through faith, unity, and Hashem’s mercy, we, too, must hold on to the belief that miracles can and do happen. Even when we cannot see the solution, Hashem is always there, guiding us through the darkest of tunnels.
May we all merit to experience the joy and redemption of Purim, knowing that no matter how difficult life may seem, we can always find hope in Hashem’s love and care.
List of People Who Need a r’fuah sh’leimah (a complete recovery)
Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.
Mordechai ben Masha Yehudis
Ohad ben Esther
Nisan ben Shoshanah
Eitan Avraham ben Efrat
Alon ben Idit
Yosef Chaim ben Chanah Devorah
Nasan Nota ben Rachel
Refael Eliezer ben Simchah
Akiva Matta ben Lior
Heleni Orna bas Chen Chanah
Gilana Chavivah bas Sophie Sarah
Esther Hadassah bas Devorah
Mitali Naomi bas Gilah Farcha
Chanah bas Miriam Perel
Sarka bas Sarah
Tziporah bas Fibi
Malkah Neshamah bas Avivah Dinah
Sheindel bas Yachat Chayah
Baila Royza bas Miriam Pessa
Israeli Soldiers (Please recite Psalms 25, 26, 46, 83, 142.)
Yehoshua ben Aliza Esther
Menachem ben Aliza Esther
Gavriel Efraim ben Chanah Yafah
Netanel Akiva ben Chanah Yafah
Yonatan Ezra ben Chanah Yafah
Chaim Aba Menachem ben Naomi Beila
Daniel Moshe ben Devorah
Chaim Mordechai ben Sarah Ita
Gavriel Yehudah ben Yaakov
Shmuel ben Aharon
Moshe ben Shoshanah Esther
Yehoshua ben Tzvi
Dvir Moshe ben Dinah
Oriel ben Dinah
Dor ben Zehavah
Daniel ben Rachel
Shalev David ben Revital Renanah
Daniel ben Orli
Tal ben Ilana Ilanit
Mordechai Daniel ben Leah Rachel
Yotam ben Efrat Michal
Michael ben Naomi Sarah
Moshe Eliyahu ben Dinah Yehudis
Yosef ben Shlomis
Yosef ben Sarit
Yosef Daniel ben Anat
Yosef Chaim ben Hadassah
Ron ben Ahuvah
Yosef Yechiel Ben-Tzion ben Rivkah Beila
Binyamin Yehudah ben Leah
To add names of individuals who need a r’fuah sh’leimah to next week’s T’hilim column, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and complete the Google form.
