Where Did G-d Go?

In the text of Megillat Esther, G‑d’s name is not mentioned. Nevertheless, the Megillah is considered to be of great holiness, so that even the scholars of Israel must interrupt their study to hear the reading of the Megillah on Purim.

Queen Esther is the heroine of Purim, who used a woman’s coaxing to change the mind of King Achashvarosh. The name Esther, which means "to hide," relates to the name of G‑d that is hidden in the Megillah. The task of those listening to the public reading is to reveal the name of G‑d in the words and story of the Megillah.

The place where the name of G‑d can be found in the Megillah is in the heart of the righteous souls, Mordecai and Esther. These two represent the unity of G‑d and His Divine Presence and the name of G‑d representing this unity. The name of G‑d is the revelation of the infinite in the finite.

Spirituality is above time, place, and intellect. The Megillah is a story that took place at a specific time and place, and is understandable even by the intellect of children. Yet, spirituality is hidden in this story, hidden in the hearts of Mordecai and Esther, and in each and every person who desires to reveal his or her hidden soul.

The way to reveal spirituality is through the three great commandments of the celebration of Purim: charity to the poor, exchanging gifts of food, and eating and drinking at the festive Purim meal.

Charity is the external act that is a necessary prerequisite for any revelation of spirituality. The secret of the unity of Mordecai and Esther must begin with an external act uniting giver and receiver. In charity there is unity. Charity given on Purim to poor people unites the rich man with the poor man. The rich man gives the poor man money, the bread of life. The poor man gives humility to the rich man. From this unity of physical exchange, the mind and heart are opened to the unity in the soul, which is between G‑d and His Divine Presence.

The exchanging of gifts is a symbol of love. In order for there to be unity, there must be love. From the love for one’s neighbor, the mind, body, and soul are elevated to the realization of the love of G‑d. Through the love that unites two people, the love of the One G‑d is discovered, the secret of G‑d’s four-letter name, Y-H-V-H. Love is the way and purpose of unity.

From "Kabbalah- The Splendor of Judaism" by David M. Wexelman.

David Wexelman is the author of Kabbalah- The Splendor of Judaism and several other books on Kabbalah and Jewish Spirituality.
He currently resides in Tzefat, "City of Kabbalah" (also home of KabbalaOnline.org).

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