Purim is more than costumes and celebration. Beneath the surface of the Book of Esther lies a timeless message about hidden strength, concealed identity, and the courage to step forward when it matters most.
At first glance, Purim appears to be the most playful holiday in the Jewish calendar—costumes, noise, laughter, and celebration. Yet beneath the surface lies one of the most psychologically and spiritually profound narratives in the Torah: the story of Esther.
The Book of Esther—read publicly as the Megillah on Purim—tells a story of danger, concealment, and ultimately, courage. It is a story about hidden strength and the complexity of identity.
A Story Where God Is Hidden
The Book of Esther is unique in that God’s name never appears. The divine presence is concealed. Events unfold through political maneuvering, personal risk, and seemingly coincidental timing.
And yet, meaning is everywhere.
Purim reminds us that not all strength announces itself. Sometimes providence works quietly. Sometimes resilience grows in private. Sometimes the most powerful transformations happen behind the scenes.
This hiddenness is not absence—it is subtlety.
Esther’s Concealed Identity
When Esther is brought to the palace of King Ahasuerus, she conceals her Jewish identity at the urging of her cousin Mordechai. She survives in a foreign court by adapting, observing, and waiting.
Her strength is not initially loud or confrontational. It is strategic. Measured. Patient.
Only when the Jewish people face annihilation does Mordechai challenge her:
“Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royalty for just such a time as this.”
In that moment, Esther’s hidden identity becomes the source of her courage. She risks her life, reveals who she truly is, and changes the fate of her people.
Purim teaches that identity is not simply inherited—it is claimed.
Masks and Authenticity
On Purim, we wear costumes. We hide our faces. Children dress as heroes, royalty, or even villains. The custom is playful, but it echoes the deeper theme of concealment.
We all wear masks—roles we play at work, in family life, in public spaces. Some of those masks protect us. Some help us navigate complexity. But Purim invites a question:
When is it time to remove the mask?
Esther’s story suggests that there are seasons for concealment and seasons for revelation.
Strength is knowing the difference.
Courage in Uncertain Times
The threat in the story is real. Haman’s decree is signed and sealed. The fear is collective. Esther fasts. The community gathers. Then she steps forward.
Her courage is not reckless. It is rooted in preparation, community, and clarity of purpose.
Hidden strength becomes visible action.
In every generation, individuals face moments that call them forward—moments that require alignment between who they are privately and who they must become publicly.
Purim affirms that such courage is possible.
Joy as Resistance
Purim concludes not in solemnity, but in joy. The Jewish people celebrate, give gifts to one another (mishloach manot), and give charity to those in need (matanot la’evyonim).
The holiday reframes survival not merely as escape, but as renewed connection.
Joy becomes an act of resilience.
In times when identity feels fragile or when circumstances demand adaptation, Purim offers a steady reminder:
Your strength may be hidden.
Your identity may evolve.
But when the moment calls, you are capable of stepping forward.
And sometimes, the very parts of yourself you kept concealed are the ones that save the day.
Purim is not only a celebration of a past victory. It is a meditation on the quiet formation of courage. It asks us to consider where we may be holding back, where we may be waiting, and where we may already possess the strength we need.
Hidden does not mean powerless.
It may simply mean not yet revealed.
