Tonight marks the beginning of Purim, the Jewish holiday during which we joyously reenact the deliverance of our people from the hand of wicked Haman, who desired to have us slaughtered. Though the God of Israel is not directly mentioned in the text of the book of Esther, His intervention and deliverance, and His relationship with the people of Israel, are unmistakeable. 

Today, may we seek to understand and fulfill the role in which God has placed each of us to be a voice and an advocate in His name. A protector and defender of the vulnerable and defenseless. A helper for the helpless. An encourager for the downhearted. May we have many occasions to celebrate His great deliverance in the lives of those with whom we are blessed to interact. So be it. 

I wish our havurah were able to celebrate as planned, but I am still recovering from my head injury. So, I leave you with my Mordechai photo from last year. Chag Purim Sameach!