Today is the day before Purim Katan, which starts tonight.
There are two Adars, and as we know, Purim is celebrated in the second Adar. But the first Adar also has a kedusha on the day of Purim, and it’s called Purim Katan.
Tomorrow, we will discuss how to celebrate it properly.
For today, we will discuss why it’s called Purim Katan/Small Purim, with a mashal:
One Purim, a Hasidic Rebbe saw a poor man who liked to drink a little, but who couldn’t afford anything. So they went to a bar where 12 year old scotch was the best scotch available, and the rabbi bought him two drinks.
After they left, they walked for a mile, where they found a more high-class bar. That bar served 26 year old scotch, so the rabbi treated the man to another two shots of that. Now the man was very happy, but he had a question. He asked, “If you had the ability to buy the 26 year old scotch, why didn’t you just take me directly there? Why first give me the 12 year, and then give me the 26 year?”
The rabbi explained that it was a 1 mile walk from the first bar to the second, and he wanted the man to be in a good mood along the way. So they stopped at the first bar, to have the 12 year scotch, in order to get into a good mood, so that he could really enjoy the walk and enjoy the 26 year old scotch, after having started off with a little bit of the 12 year.
That is the mashal.
The nimshal is that Hashem has something called Purim Gadol- Great Purim. We have waited a very long time since Succot- we had a little bit of Hanukah in the middle, to give us a little light along the long dark nights, which symbolize the Galut, but we are really waiting for our Purim. Mi Shenichnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha!
But lo and behold, we have to wait yet another month for Purim! We can’t wait anymore.
So Hashem, in His infinite kindness, gives us Purim Katan. It’s not really the full Purim. We don’t send Mishloach Manot, we don’t read the Megillah, we don’t have a Seuda… but there is a Mitzvah to have a little simcha. Purim Katan- it’s a like smaller glass.
It’s not the 26 year old scotch, it’s the 12 year scotch.
Why does Hashem give it to us now? To keep us happy. To keep us going until we reach the big Purim.
Therefore, B’ezrat Hashem, since we have about 20 classes until Purim, and there is no better way to keep us happy than to learn Megilat Esther, we will spend the next few weeks going over the Megillah.
Two dvrei Torah per perek will help us prepare, and Purim Katan will keep us going and happy until Purim Gadol.
And of course, learning Megilat Esther is learning about Bitachon, because there is no greater lesson on the concept of Ness Nistar/Hidden Miracle than the story of Purim.
Hashem hid His face.
The word Megillah comes from the root “to reveal,” what’s hidden.
Megilat Esther- Esther was hidden, and it’s a job to reveal what’s hidden.
The Megillah is full of hidden concepts.
B’ezrat Hashem, we will have a nice preparation, from Purim Katan until Purim Gadol.
Wishing everyone a happy Purim Katan.
Have a wonderful day.