Rabbi Sacks on Purim

Purim is the only festival in the Jewish year set outside the Land of Israel, in galut (exile). It comes from an almost secularised world. Out of Israel. It’s hard to feel the presence of God.

It [Megillat Esther] records the first warrant for genocide against the Jewish people.

Where we search for Hashem but we can't find Him.

And yet, there is one line in the book that is the powerful statement in Judaism, that Hashem has not abandoned us.

Even in the worst hiding of God, you can hear Him calling, saying, “Was it not for this very challenge, that you are here in this place, at this time”