Today is Purim. At sundown tonight, the holiday begins, as we celebrate the defeat of the wicked Haman (insert grogger sound here).

For many years my favorite line in scripture comes from the Book of Esther, when Mordecai is telling her that she doesn’t really know if this moment isn’t the very reason that she was placed in her position. It’s a lesson that I have taken – and used – many times in my life. You may never know the reason that you have been placed are where you are. But… it may be that for some reason your place is necessary.

Purim celebrates a time when the Jews actually overcame the oppressor. The victory, when it came, was swift and complete. It serves to remind us that G-d is always over us and always with us, so who can be against us?

Sadly, as it turns out, there are far more Amalekites (Hamans) here than we we understood. Moreover, we may never understand why such evil exists, nor why so many had to suffer and die because of it.

There is no logical answer, it is simply our lot (pur) in life…