Let's take advantage of this Purim to pray to Hashem that all our great friends on GYE (and the rest of klal yisroel) should be able to accomplish their life goal and keep on growing in Avodas Hashem...


When Haman and Achashverosh decreed to wipe out the Jewish People, Mordechai told Esther to go to the king and ask for mercy. Going to the king unannounced would put Esther’s life in jeopardy. She told Mordechai to tell the Jewish People to fast and pray on her behalf. And then she added, “גם אני ונערותי אצום כן – I and my maidens would also fast and pray." The Alsheich explains, Esther was saying she and her maidens would pray on behalf of the Jewish People to be saved from the decree. She wanted them to pray for her and she would pray for them, thus utilizing a great tool: When a person prays for others and he has the same need, he will be answered first. If Esther would pray for them and they would pray for her, they’ll be answered simultaneously.


The great tzaddik Rav Yechezkel of Kuzhmir explains how it works. When a person prays for someone else, the mikatregim in Shamayim are not able to prosecute that prayer because he is not asking for himself, he is asking for somebody else. One condition for the tefila on behalf of others to be effective is that the person must be truly sincere.


The Chiddushei Harim, the Rabbi of Ger, explained that on Purim there is a law “that anyone who asks (for charity) you have to give”. This is true also regarding praying, when we pray to Hashem on Purim, He has to answer our requests.

We read in the Megilla; ‘These days [of Purim] are remembered and done”. We are taught “Remembered” by Hashem, so that all our requests are “done”. (Toras Emes)

These are special days, for as soon as something good is “remembered” for the Jewish nation, it is no sooner than “Done”. (Toras Chaim)

“Hashem sends us each year the same help as he sent by the miracle of Purim in the days of Mordechai and Esther. Whatever prayers are sent up to Hashem by the Jews on Purim are accepted.” (Divrei Yecheskel)

“Someone in need should take time on Taanis Esther to say Chapter 22 in Tehillim (Psalms), which is related to Esther and Purim. Afterwards, he should beseech Hashem and remind Him of the merits of Mordechai and Esther and his Tefilos will surely be accepted in Heaven.”  (Kos Hayeshua)

“The Baal Sham Tov taught that on Purim one should rise early to daven and ask Hashem for everything that he needs. Not only, for himself, but for others as well, for Purim is a time of acceptance just like Yom Kippur.” (Segulos Yisroel)

The kedusha of Purim is so great. Even Yom Kippurim is not as kodesh as Purim. This is why it is only Ki' Purim - "like" Purim (i.e. close to, but not exactly). The kedusha of Purim is so great, that unlike Shabbos and the other Yom Tovim, there is no need to be M'kadesh the day, nor to refrain from Melacha. It does not need any shmirah from melacha in order to maintain its kedusha.

And, the entire nes of Purim was accomplished by the strongest of all weapons.....Teffilah. Lets go and speak to Hashem - non stop. Use our weapon of mass destruction, the weapon of Mordechi and the Tinukkos Shel Bais Raban, TEFFILAH.

I am all for it.
I am in.

The author of Chiddushei HaRim, the first Rebbe of Ger, illustrated the powerful potential of Purim with a story:

There was once a Yid who set out on a journey, intending to commit a grievous sin, and took along five hundred gold rubles that he had patiently amassed over the years. On his way, he suddenly heard the heartfelt cries of a family in distress. They were being evicted for not paying their rent. His pity aroused, he gave them all the money that he had intended to use for the aveira.

His deed aroused such a great tumult in Shamayim that it was decided that whatever this man would decree, would materialize. However, to ensure that the privilege would not be misused, it was ordained that he become a drunkard.

Sometime later, a terrible tzara descended upon the world. The Baal Shem Tov sent his talmidim to beg this drunken Yid to intercede and ask HaShem for mercy. They repeatedly found him drunk, until finally, catching him sober, they presented their request and he succeeded in abolishing the decree.

The Chiddushei Harim would conclude: Purim is a day of eis ratzon, when every Yid – like that drunkard – can accomplish great things, without limitation. However, to allow this to happen, one must make sure that the merrymaking will not interfere with this mighty potential

DavidT wrote on 10 Mar 2022 18:31:

i can only imagine what that "500-ruble" aveirah was going to be. any ideas?

Trouble wrote on 10 Mar 2022 18:39:

Trouble, you remind me of a story:
There was once a drunkard that his children tried to persuade  to stop drinking, so they showed him another drunkard laying and throwing up in the street (so he should become discussed with drinking). 
The father runs over to that drunkard and whispers into his ears: "hey, where did you get such effective drinks!?"


And by the way : 500 Russian Ruble equals 3.74 United States Dollar

DavidT wrote on 10 Mar 2022 18:47:

thank you

for the record, in 1870, 500 Russian rubles equaled $6,923.00 USA dollars, so I repeat my question please.

Trouble wrote on 10 Mar 2022 18:56:

It was probably to buy lots of chalav stam ice cream and some whisky aged in sherry casks.

The Rizhiner explains that in one way, Purim is greater than Yom Kipur (Yom Ki- Purim. A day that is only "like" Purim, but not as great).

Yom Kippur atones for the Shavim (Those who return - i.e. repent), while Purim atones for the Shavim and the Aino Shavim (those who return and those who do not return).

What does it mean that Purim atones for the Aino Shavim, those who do not return?

The Rizhiner explains that Purim is a holy day for those who repent but yet continue to fall. They are labeled "Aino Shavim" because they continually have to face their struggle. Purim is all about seeing the light in an atmosphere of total darkness. It is about seeking out Hashem even if we feel we are in total darkness and may be feeling ashamed or low. Hashem says "Anochi Hastir Astir Panai ("I will utterly hide my face from you"), yet in that same pasuk is the remez (hint) to Esther , our salvation. Hashem rejoices when we reach out to him, and when we rejoice in our effort to seek Hashem out.

GYE is about seeking out the light in the dark world around us. It is about confronting struggles that have plagued us for years. We may have continued to fall many times, yet we - as a family - are seeking out the light to overcome our addictions. We are finding Hashem in the darkness. That is the true holy essence of Purim, and that is why Purim is the happiest day of the year.

DavidT wrote on 16 Mar 2022 16:55:

As It's written above:
Let's take advantage of this Purim to pray to Hashem that all our great friends on GYE (and the rest of klal yisroel) should be able to accomplish their goals and keep on growing in Avodas Hashem...