The mitzvah of reading the Megillah on Purim is not mentioned explicitly in the Torah. Nevertheless, the
Jewish people undertook to do so, at that time and for all generations to come.
Although the reading of the Megillah was instituted by
the Rabbinic Court of this world, the Talmud tells us that this enactment was
endorsed by the Court of the Upper World. (Makot 23b, Shevuot 39a)
The Talmud also tells us that G-d indicated to Moses that the reading of the
Megillah would be continued also in the future (Megillah 19b)
The Megillah is not merely a chronicle of the events that transpired in Shushan at that time.
It is important to note that the Megillah is not
merely a chronicle of the events that transpired in Shushan at that time. The
Talmud tells us that the Megillah was written with divine inspiration: (Megillah
7a)
Rabbi Eliezer says: "The Book of Esther was
written with ruach hakodesh (divine inspiration). For it is written,
'Haman thought to himself,' (Esther 6:6) a fact not discernable [to the
author] other than through ruach hakodesh.
Rabbi Akiva says: "The Book of Esther was written
with ruach hakodesh. For it is written, 'Esther found favor in the
eyes of all who saw her', (Esther 2:15) a fact not discernible other than
through ruach hakodesh.
Rabbi Yosi the son of Durmaskis says: The Book of
Esther was written with ruach hakodesh. For it is written, 'In those
days, while Mordechai was sitting in the king's gate, Bigsan and Seresh, two
officers of the king, of the guards of the threshold became infuriated and
conspired to harm the king, Achashverosh and the thing became known to
Mordechai, and he told it to Esther, the queen, and Esther said it to the
king in the name of Mordechai.' (Esther 2:21-22) How did the thing become
known to Mordechai if not through ruach hakodesh?
Rabbi Meir says: The Book of Esther was written
with ruach hakodesh. For it is written, 'But they did not stretch out
their hands to the plunder.' (Esther 9:10) How did the writer of the
Megillah know that even the Jews in distant places did not touch the plunder
if not through ruach hakodesh?"
Rabbi Yehuda said in the name of Shmuel: "If I had
been present at this conversation among Tanaim I would have told then that I
have an even better proof. For it is written, 'They endorsed it, and the
Jews took it upon themselves, and upon their offspring, and upon all that
join with them, that none should fail to celebrate these two days', (Esther
9:27) and our rabbis have taken this to mean that the Court of the Upper
World endorsed what the lower court took upon itself. How did the writers of
the Megillah know this if not through ruach hakodesh?"
Rabah said: "I can refute all of these proofs
except for Shmuel's proof."
…Rav Yosef said: "It can be proven from that which
is written, 'These days of Purim will not pass from amidst the Jews'. (Esther
9:28) How could they know this if not through ruach hakodesh?"
Rav Nachman the son of Yitzchak said: "It can be
proven from the conclusion of the verse, 'And their remembrance shall not
cease from their offspring'". (Ibid)
All festivals will be discontinued but
for the days of Purim.
Our Sages have also inferred from this last verse that
the Megillah would be read for all future generations. (Yerushalmi Megillah 1:5)
Furthermore, the Midrash tells us that all festivals will be discontinued but
for the days of Purim.1
All festivals will be discontinued but the days of
Purim will never be discontinued, as it is written, 'And their remembrance shall
not cease from their offspring'. (Esther 9:28)
…Rabi said: "Yom Kippur will also never be
discontinued, as it is written, 'And this shall be for you for an everlasting
law'." (Lev. 16:34)
It would appear to me that this passage is discussing
the time the Jewish people will spend in exile. It is telling us that it is
inevitable that their sinfulness will cause them to neglect the observance of
the Festivals, as it is indeed written, G-d has made the Festivals and Shabbos
be forgotten in Zion. (Lamentations 2:6) The Torah assures us, however, that the
days of Purim will not suffer such neglect. It also assures us that Yom Kippur
will atone for the Jewish people even if they do not do proper teshuvah.
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