I am leading a Zoom group on Greenberg's new book right now so I hear echoes of his theology throughout your post and I'm finding comfort in this book which is a call to human agency and call to loving faith in G-d and our people. And isnt it possible this human agency in what he calls the 3rd stage of the covenant is an invitation from a hidden G-d for us to unmask?
The counterpoint of kids in costumes and palace intrigued, sex, and drinking always gets me. I appreciate the sense that Purim also asks us to let go of our masks and be ourselves. When we wear masksv and costumes we often expose our hidden selves.
Who knew? After experiencing my first Purim in Israel and witnessing the largest expression of Jewish Joy I have ever seen, I then listened to the Wondering Jews podcast episode you did with Dr Tanya White and it's one of the most deeply inspiring things I've heard in so long. I don't think I even realized this kind of faith was available to me. It allows me to be less wary of faith - to step towards it more. Now this blog post - the reminder that what what we inherent as a member of the Jewish tribe, is agency and that it is both a mitzvah and a privilege to exercise it.
"Purim may be dizzying. But when the disguises come off, what remains is absolute clarity: We each have the power to act." Indeed. This is truly the time when we discover what it means to be Jewish for ourselves, and not just as an identifier, I'm Jewish, but as a way to live what that means as a connection, a way to be inspired, as meaning. The test or actualization is ongoing.
I do believe that Mordecai as a believing Jew, knew that salvation would come to his people. Both he and Esther were divinely placed for 'such a time as this'.
It was a time for every Jew to 'see' the unseen hand of God.
I am leading a Zoom group on Greenberg's new book right now so I hear echoes of his theology throughout your post and I'm finding comfort in this book which is a call to human agency and call to loving faith in G-d and our people. And isnt it possible this human agency in what he calls the 3rd stage of the covenant is an invitation from a hidden G-d for us to unmask?
Thanks Amy! Share your reflections when you finish reading it? And yes I think that’s what we are called to do at this time!
The counterpoint of kids in costumes and palace intrigued, sex, and drinking always gets me. I appreciate the sense that Purim also asks us to let go of our masks and be ourselves. When we wear masksv and costumes we often expose our hidden selves.
Encouraging post. Thank you.
The interpretation of rav Ytz Greenberg is fascinating. A discovery for me , which gives Mordechai and Esther even more merit. Thank you!
Who knew? After experiencing my first Purim in Israel and witnessing the largest expression of Jewish Joy I have ever seen, I then listened to the Wondering Jews podcast episode you did with Dr Tanya White and it's one of the most deeply inspiring things I've heard in so long. I don't think I even realized this kind of faith was available to me. It allows me to be less wary of faith - to step towards it more. Now this blog post - the reminder that what what we inherent as a member of the Jewish tribe, is agency and that it is both a mitzvah and a privilege to exercise it.
"Purim may be dizzying. But when the disguises come off, what remains is absolute clarity: We each have the power to act." Indeed. This is truly the time when we discover what it means to be Jewish for ourselves, and not just as an identifier, I'm Jewish, but as a way to live what that means as a connection, a way to be inspired, as meaning. The test or actualization is ongoing.
I do believe that Mordecai as a believing Jew, knew that salvation would come to his people. Both he and Esther were divinely placed for 'such a time as this'.
It was a time for every Jew to 'see' the unseen hand of God.
How true this is today for every Jew everywhere!
Jorge