Purim is a crazy, topsy-turvy holiday that is oriented towards children in most congregations.

In
Israel the air is filled with tension as parents struggle to find the right costumes for their
children. It is also possible to look at the holiday through adult eyes and see what it can teach
us. The proximity of International Women’s Day and Purim feels fortuitous! Purim is a holiday
that features strong women.

The story of Esther provides a model of female leadership that is based on Esther’s beauty and
wisdom. This is actually part of a Biblical tradition of stories where Jewish survival is
dependent of women – thanks to their beauty they are able to insinuate themselves into
positions of power with non-Jewish kings. In all cases there is a severe famine (Jewish survival
is at stake) that leads to emigration out of Israel.

In the first case (Genesis 13) Abram (not yet Abraham) goes to Egypt. He instructs Sarai (not
yet Sarah) to say she is his sister. Otherwise, he claims, they will kill me. “Let me live”, he says,
“that I might live thanks to you.” All ends well for Abram and Sarah - crisis averted!

The scenario repeats itself when (Genesis 20) Abraham moved to Gerar. And again when, like
father like son, in Genesis 26, Isaac goes to Gerar and Abimelek king of the Philistines wants
Rebecca on account of her beauty. Jewish men don’t come off very well in these stories, hiding
behind their wives.

This model comes to full glory in the Purim story where Esther’s proximity to power and her
wisdom prevail to rescue the Jewish people.

Today we are blessed with women’s leadership that is more direct and not dependent of
physical beauty. What a great opportunity to celebrate women’s leadership in the Jewish
world – especially in our movement in Israel. We are blessed with learned, charismatic,
dedicated women rabbis.

We are especially proud of Reform leadership in Women of the Wall who has shown
tremendous persistence over the past 30 years and bravery in the face of violence this past
month.

Shabbat Shalom and Happy Purim!