Rav Berg wrote that “Purim is a special cosmic occurrence that allows for the revelation of Light.” That cosmic occurrence happens today and I love what this day represents. More than that, I love the opportunity it gives us.
Far from being a mere carnival of costumes and revelry, Purim presents a profound invitation: to perceive the universe through the lens of interconnectedness. The kabbalists taught that this day offers us a unique “cosmic window,” a moment when the veil of perceived separation thins, revealing the underlying unity of existence. This may sound like a philosophical abstraction but it’s not. It’s actually a very practical understanding that our individual well-being is inextricably linked to the collective. Consider it a form of emotional physics: the joy we cultivate within acts as a catalyst, triggering a chain reaction that amplifies happiness in the world around us.
Here’s an example: let’s say you choose to greet each person you encounter today with a genuine smile and a kind word. You’re feeling joyful and you just want to share it. That kind word could uplift someone who is in the depths of grief, it could soothe another person who had a frustrating morning, it could amplify the joy that another person was already feeling. In each instance, the energy of everyone is elevated and the elevation will continue to ripple not only through their day, but the day of everyone they encounter. And so on, and so on, and so on. See?
It’s this quantum fact that underscores the powerful narrative of Esther and gives us a pretty straightforward metaphor. She chose to reveal her true identity, an act that risked her very life, as means to defend her people. It’s a reminder that true change often stems from embracing our genuine selves and our most authentic selves are, at their core, an essence of joy. Accessing our true self comes from tapping into the “Light” that resides within, which is not a personal possession or achievement, but a universal force, a unifying energy that permeates all of creation.
But how do we do it? How do we access this Light? How do we translate this understanding of interconnectedness into tangible action? The answer lies in cultivating a mindset of expansive joy. Not the fleeting, superficial kind, but a deep, resonant joy that stems from a recognition of our shared humanity. This joy manifests in acts of generosity, in radical kindness, and in compassion toward ourselves and others. These aren’t just charitable gestures that make us a “good” person—they are expressions the understanding that our happiness is amplified when shared.
Science even backs it up! String theory, as articulated by physicists like Sera Cremonini, suggests that the universe is composed of fundamental vibrating strings, tiny units of energy that connect everything. This aligns with the insights of quantum pioneers like Niels Bohr, who posited a “vibratory field” linking all things. While the intricacies of quantum physics may seem far removed from the festival of Purim, they really aren’t. Our emotions, our actions, our very being, contribute to this vibratory tapestry and when we choose to cultivate more joy, we amplify the positive vibrations within this interconnected web, creating a ripple effect that benefits the entire cosmos.
This Purim, I invite you to move beyond the superficial aspects of celebration and embrace the deeper message: that our individual joy is a potent force for collective transformation. Let us cultivate a joy so radiant that it illuminates the world around us, dispelling the darkness and revealing the inherent unity of all things. As Leonardo da Vinci observed, “Realize that everything connects to everything else.” In this realization lies the true magic of Purim: the power to transform not only ourselves but the world.
Fill yourself with this radiant joy and illuminating Light and know that you’ll be filling everyone around you, as well.
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