by Ram ben Ze’ev
As Purim approaches, beginning on the evening of Thursday, March 13th, 2025, and concluding on Friday, March 14th, 2025, we find ourselves once again at a moment of immense spiritual opportunity. Many consider Yom Kippur to be the holiest day of the Jewish year, a day of atonement and repentance. However, a deeper understanding of our tradition, rooted in the Holy Zohar and the writings of the Arizal, reveals that Purim holds an even greater significance.
The History and Meaning of Purim
Purim commemorates the miraculous salvation of the Jewish people from destruction, as recorded in מגלת אסתר (Megillat Esther, "The Scroll of Esther"). In the days of the Persian Empire, the wicked Haman, a descendant of Amalek, sought to annihilate all the Jews. Through the divine orchestration of events, Queen Esther and Mordechai reversed the decree, bringing about a complete transformation from sorrow to joy.
The unique nature of Purim lies in the hidden hand of HaShem throughout the story. Unlike other biblical narratives, the name of G-D is conspicuously absent from the Megillah. This teaches us that even when G-D's presence is not overtly visible, He is still guiding history behind the scenes. Purim reminds us that miracles do not always require the splitting of a sea; sometimes, they occur through what appears to be natural events.
Yom HaKiPurim: A Day Like Purim
Many are unaware that Yom Kippur, the supposed holiest day, actually derives its name from Purim. The name יום הכפורים (Yom HaKiPurim) can be read as "a day like Purim" (יום כפורim). The inclusion of the prefix "כ" (Ke, meaning "like") suggests that Yom Kippur is merely an attempt to emulate the higher spiritual experience of Purim.
How can this be? Yom Kippur is a solemn day, a time of fasting, repentance, and atonement, while Purim is a day of feasting, joy, and celebration. The answer lies in the method by which we draw close to HaShem.
On Yom Kippur, we deny ourselves physical pleasures in an attempt to elevate our souls. But on Purim, we sanctify the physical world through joy, feasting, and the giving of gifts. Rather than separating from the world, we embrace it and use it as a vehicle for holiness. This is why Purim is greater: it represents the ultimate fulfillment of Torah and mitzvot, which is not through withdrawal, but through engagement.
The Commandment of Joy
In תהלים (Tehillim), we are taught, "עבדו את ה בשמחה" (Ivdu et HaShem b'simcha, "Serve HaShem with joy") (תהלים 100:2). Judaism does not promote asceticism; rather, it teaches that true spiritual elevation comes through joy. On Purim, we fulfill this commandment in its highest form.
Furthermore, we are commanded to read the Megillah, send gifts to one another (משלוח מנות, Mishloach Manot), give to the poor (מתנות לאביונים, Matanot LaEvyonim), and partake in a celebratory meal (סעודת פורים, Seudat Purim). Unlike Yom Kippur, where holiness is sought through self-denial, on Purim, it is attained through elevating the mundane.
The Victory Over Amalek
Another fundamental aspect of Purim is the eternal battle against Amalek. The Torah commands us, "זכור את אשר עשה לך עמלק" (Zachor et asher asah lecha Amalek, "Remember what Amalek did to you") (דברים כה:יז, Devarim 25:17). Haman, a descendant of Amalek, represents the forces that seek to eradicate the Jewish people, both physically and spiritually.
On Purim, we rejoice because we were not only saved from physical destruction but also because we reaffirmed our commitment to Torah. The Jews of Persia reaccepted the Torah out of love, not fear, as the Gemara teaches in מסכת שבת (Masechet Shabbat 88a). This is a far greater level than the acceptance at Har Sinai, where coercion was involved.
Purim: The Blueprint for Redemption
Chazal teach that even in the times of Mashiach, all the festivals may cease except for Purim. Why? Because Purim contains within it the ultimate redemptive light. While other holidays recall past miracles, Purim is a glimpse of the future – a time when G-D’s presence will be fully revealed within the natural world, not through supernatural intervention.
Unlike Yom Kippur, which focuses on the past and the correction of sins, Purim looks forward to the world’s ultimate rectification. It is the joy of Purim, not the solemnity of Yom Kippur, that defines the ideal state of divine service.
Conclusion: Purim’s Primacy Over Yom Kippur
For these reasons, Purim is the most important Jewish holiday. It is not merely a day of merriment but a day that encapsulates the deepest truths of Judaism. It teaches us that we must serve HaShem with joy, that His presence is always guiding us, and that our ultimate purpose is not to withdraw from the world but to sanctify it.
May we all prepare to embrace the joy and deep meaning of Purim with open hearts and renewed commitment to HaShem and His Torah.
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It is a mitzvah to listen to and hear every word of מגילת אסתר (Megillat Esther) twice—once at night and once during the day of Purim. This obligation ensures that we fully absorb the miraculous story of our salvation and fulfill the commandment as established by Chazal. The reading must be heard clearly, without interruption, as even missing a single word can affect one’s fulfillment of the mitzvah. For those following the Sephardic tradition, you can listen to a Sephardic rendition of the Megillah reading below:
Bill White (Ram ben Ze'ev) is CEO of WireNews Limited, Mayside Partners Limited, MEADHANAN Agency, Kestrel Assets Limited, SpudsToGo Limited and Executive Director of Hebrew Synagogue. Bill White also writes on Substack under the byline "Bill White Says..."