Weekly Dvar Torah: Purim Then — Purim Now
We have just celebrated an incredible week of Purim. Let me tell you how the week began and how it unfolded, because sometimes events around us suddenly illuminate the deeper meaning of the holiday itself.
Purim is the story of the Jewish people’s survival against a terrifying threat. Haman plotted nothing less than the annihilation of every Jew. His plan was not theoretical; it was practical and organized. With the cooperation of King Achashverosh, he was able to extend his decree across the entire Persian Empire. The Jewish people stood on the brink of destruction.
At that critical moment, Mordechai did something extraordinary.
He did not gather an army. He did not organize a political resistance. He did not plot how to escape.
Instead, Mordechai gathered 22,000 Jewish children and taught them Torah.
And what Torah did he teach them? He spoke about the Beis Hamikdash and the Korban HaOmer that would be brought on Pesach.
Think about that for a moment.
Who speaks about the future Temple when the Jewish people are about to be destroyed? Who discusses bringing the Omer offering when survival itself is uncertain?
Yet that is exactly what Mordechai did.
At that very moment, Achashverosh had a restless night. Unable to sleep, he ordered the royal chronicles to be read before him. The story of Mordechai saving the king’s life was discovered, and suddenly everything turned upside down.
Haman came to the palace that night to request permission to hang Mordechai.
Instead, he was forced to parade Mordechai through the streets in honor.
That moment was the beginning of the complete reversal of the decree. What had been intended as destruction turned into salvation. The enemies of the Jews fell, and the Jewish people were spared.
Ever since, we celebrate Purim, a holiday of unity, generosity, and joy. We give gifts to one another, we give charity to the poor, and we celebrate together.
But Purim is not only a story of the past. Our Rebbe constantly taught that Purim must be understood in the words we say in the blessings before the reading of the Megillah: “Bayamim Haheim Bizman Hazeh” = in those days and in these times.
The story of Purim repeats itself in every generation.
This week something remarkable happened.
On Friday, which was the 10th of Adar, a talk of the Rebbe was published. The talk had originally been delivered on the 12th of Adar, 5739 – 1979.
That was the year when Ayatollah Khomeini came to power in Iran. The Shah was overthrown, and the rule of the Ayatollahs began — the beginning of decades of instability, terror, and threats against the Jewish people, the State of Israel, and the whole world.
The Rebbe addressed Jewish children at that time and explained the message of Purim.
When Jewish children gather together, the Rebbe said, we remember what happened in the days of Mordechai. Mordechai gathered Jewish children with one purpose — to strengthen their connection to Judaism.
When the children gathered and studied Torah, the decree against the Jews was overturned. What had been a decree of destruction was transformed into light, joy, celebration, and honor for the Jewish people.
And then the Rebbe said something extraordinary.
We say in the blessings for the Megillah that the miracle happened “in those days.” But we add another phrase: “Bizman Hazeh” – in our own time as well.
Just as the miracle happened then, it will happen again.
Even when Jews feel pressure, even when terrorists threaten them, we should not despair.
The story will end well. Darkness will turn to light.
How do Jews respond when terrorists threaten them?
Not with panic. Not with fear.
Jews gather together. We declare that we belong to Hashem. We study Torah. We fulfill mitzvos. And we remember that Hashem is the Master of the world.
Those who plot evil against the Jewish people will ultimately fail, just as Haman failed.
The Rebbe explained that when Jews live with joy, confidence, and faith, the enemies of the Jewish people eventually realize that their schemes cannot succeed.
And so we sing the words:
“Utzu Eitzah V’sufar, Dabru Davar V’lo Yakum, Ki Imanu Kel.” = Plot your schemes, they will be destroyed. Speak your plans, they will not succeed. For G-d is with us.
And in the end we reach the words:
“Ach Tzadikim Yodu Lishmecha.” = The righteous will praise Hashem.
Every Jew is a Tzadik. And together we will merit the fulfillment of the final words:
“Yeshvu Yesharim Es Panecha.” = We will witness the revelation of G-dliness with the coming of Moshiach.
That talk was delivered in 1979 when the Ayatollah came to power.
But now consider something remarkable.
That very talk was published this year for Shabbos, the 11th of Adar, 5786 – 2026.
And what happened on that very day?
That was the day when the war began against Iran to destroy its ability to terrorize the world with nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.
In an astonishing turn of events, the operation was an overwhelming success. The leadership of that terror regime was eliminated, and the world suddenly became a safer place.
How extraordinary.
More than forty years ago the Rebbe spoke words of strength about the rise of that regime. And now, without anyone planning it, that very talk was published on the very day that regime was struck down.
No one who published it knew what was about to happen.
They had no inside information.
Yet the message appeared exactly when it was needed.
This is Hashgacha Pratis = Divine Providence.
Nothing happens by accident.
Hashem orchestrates events, even the timing of words spoken decades earlier, to give us strength when we need it most.
These are extraordinary times.
The Rebbe reassured us more than forty years ago that evil will not prevail. The process may take time, but the end is certain.
And now we see glimpses of that promise unfolding before our eyes.
There is something else remarkable as well.
The original Haman came from Persia.
The modern enemies of Israel also come from Persia — today’s Iran.
Even the names echo the same sound: Haman, Khomeini, Khamenei.
Different generations, the same struggle.
But also the same Jewish people — strong, united, faithful.
Purim then.
Purim now.
May these events be only the beginning — a precursor to the ultimate victory, when evil will disappear completely and the world will be filled with peace and goodness.
And may we celebrate the coming Pesach together with Moshiach in Jerusalem.
Have a Celebration of Thanks of a Shabbos,
Gut Shabbos
Rabbi Yosef Katzman
