THE PURIM STORY ONLY REVEALED RETROACTIVELY

The sequence of the events and how they all interconnect - together comprising the story of the miracle, resulting in the salvation and redemption of the Jewish people - is discernable only in reading the Megilla, as the Megilla weaves together only the relevant events that contributed to the Purim redemption.

Translated by Boruch Merkur

Although the miracle of Purim was difficult to detect, as it was concealed within the framework of natural circumstance, there was another factor that camouflaged G-d’s intervention. When the events described in the Megilla took place, events that resulted in the salvation of the Jewish people, it was not apparent that all these events contributed to the salvation, not even as a miracle invested within nature.

When the story of the Megilla unfolded, people could not trace the connection between the events, as there was a long duration between each occurrence. The story opens with the start of Achashverosh’s reign – ruling an empire of one hundred and twenty-seven nations – which is followed by an account of the feast attended by the entire population of Shushan, the downfall of Vashti and her being putting to death, Ester being chosen in the imperial pageant, Achashverosh bestowing Haman with his ring [identifying him as viceroy], Haman’s decree to annihilate the Jewish people, Ester opposing the decree, as well as other events, all of which took place individually, interspersed in time with periods separating them. There were three years between the beginning of Achashverosh’s reign until the feast for the ministers; one hundred and eighty days after this feast, Achashverosh threw another party for all the people; a long time passed from Vashti’s execution until Ester was chosen to replace her; and similarly regarding the other events - each event appeared as an independent occurrence and no one considered that there was a connection between them.

Only after the recording of these events in the Megilla was their interconnectedness and continuity revealed (“Megilla” meaning “gilui – revelation”) – that together they all comprise a single, continual narrative directed by the Alm-ghty, Who is alluded to by the name “‘Achashverosh,’ for the end and the beginning are His.” Thus, the miracle of Purim was appreciated only retroactively, all the seemingly unrelated events coming together in the Megilla as a result of Divine providence.

(Hisvaaduyos 5747, Vol. 3, pg. 181; B’Shaarei HaMegilla pg. 68-69)