This is one of my favourite moments in the Jewish year, when we come together as women to read Megillat Esther. In our Adar Rosh Chodesh group, kindly led by Hela this month, we talked briefly about the hiddenness of God in the megillah. Have you ever noticed that in the Torah, where God is front and centre – speaking, commanding, and splitting seas. But here, in the palace of Shushan, the Divine seems to be… absent. I wanted to elaborate a bit on this as I think there is important learning for us in our everyday lives.
And there is something profound in the very name of the book. We call it Megillat Esther, which linguistically hints at Megaleh – to reveal and Hester, the hidden. Our job, then, during this reading, is to ‘unmask’ the miracles hidden in what look like mere ‘coincidences,’ like Esther being in the exact right place at the right time, or the King’s sudden bout of insomnia. Because the King couldn’t sleep, the scroll of chronicles was opened, the truth about Mordechai was revealed, and the entire fate of our people was turned around.
Being a theatre lover, I immediately think of the analogy…If you go to a play, the Director isn’t up there acting under the lights. You don’t see them on stage, but the director’s vision is in every line, every lighting cue, and every movement.
God is the Director of this story. God moved Esther to the palace. God orchestrated the king’s sleeplessness. And there is an important message in why God chooses to hide: If God’s name were written in fire on every page, we might think God only exists in the ‘Big Moments’ such as the parting of seas or giving the commandments. By leaving God’s name out, the Megilla sanctifies the ordinary. It reminds us that our everyday behaviour can be elevated. For example, when we act with courage, like Esther did, God is acting through us. God’s presence is woven into the ink of our daily lives, even when we don’t hear a heavenly voice.
But even though God’s name isn’t explicitly written, God is hiding in plain sight. Does anyone know where we can find a hint of God’s name in the text?
The sages point out that in several places, the first letters of four consecutive words actually spell out the holy name of Hashem. For example, in chapter 5, when Esther invites the King and Haman to the party, the Hebrew words Yavo Hamelech VeHaman Hayom – ‘Let the King and Haman come today’ – form that holy name.
And this isn’t just a one-time occurrence. There are actually four instances of this in the scroll, two written forward and two written backwards. When written forward, it reminds us that God is actively guiding us. When written backwards, it hints at the idea that even when things feel ‘reversed’ or upside down, God is hidden within the darkness to overturn the evil decrees.
So, as we listen to the reading today, look for what is hidden, behind the story. May we all be inspired to find the Divine in our own lives, especially in those moments where things feel hidden. May we see God’s hand, and may we be the ones to bring God’s light into the world. Purim Sameach.