Purim Thoughts

By Rabbi Yosef Shemtov:

The Gemara Megillah states that Kipur is like Purim (k means like) and that Purim
is at a higher level than Kipur. It is very strange because on Yom Kipur we fast, wrap ourselves in Tallit, and pray all day and on Purim we eat, drink, and celebrate. How can Purim be higher than Yom Kipur?

Maybe we can explain that there are two ways to serve the Almighty: through love and through fear. Yom Kipur is the final day of judgment. Our destiny is signed on that day. We pray for a good year full of blessings with awe for HaShem.

Purim is a day that we serve the Almighty with love and happiness. It is a day that we realize we have a merciful father in heaven who never leaves us. What we can achieve on Purim can be more than Yom Kipur if we eat, drink, and celebrate only in order to get closer to HaShem. Also, prayer and learning Torah on Purim is very important and we should use every minute of Purim to elevate our connection with HaShem.

On behalf of the Yachad Kollel rabbis, I wish you a happy and meaningful Purim!