We all know communities include both bullies and allies. In the story of Purim, those roles are somewhat obvious: Haman is a bully, and Mordechai is an ally. Life isn’t always that simple, however, and it is our responsibility to recognize that, examine the relationships in our lives and learn to set boundaries between ourselves and the “hamans” around us, just like the characters of the Megillah. In the story, readers learn about the great deal of power Haman wields. But despite this, his ideals did not win out — thanks to the behind-the-scenes miracles God carried out and the people who chose to stand up to him. The story of Purim makes no explicit reference to God, instead choosing to highlight and emphasize the humanity of its characters and the community, and how to best engage with one another in times of crisis.
