During all of our holidays, Hallel makes
up a big part of the tefillos. We say Hallel to thank Hashem for the miracles
and events that led to each holiday we celebrate. All the holidays, that is,
except for Purim. Why is this? Purim is one of the greatest miracles in our
history, how come we don’t praise and thank Hashem like we do on every other
holiday?
The gemarah in Megillah (14a) gives
three answers: 1) Once Bnei Yisrael entered Eretz Yisrael, we no longer say
Hallel for any miracle that took place outside Eretz Yisrael. The miracle of
Purim took place in Ancient Persia. 2) The reading of Megillas Esther takes the
place of Hallel. 3) Even though our lives were saved, we were not completely
free since we were still under the rule of Achashverosh.
In reference to the second answer, I saw
quoted in the name of Rav Yitzchak Hutner ZT”L, that the miracle of Purim was a
hidden miracle; just by reading the story of the Megillah, you cannot tell that
Hashem was behind the whole episode. Therefore, we read a “hidden” Hallel by
reading the Megillah in which all the hidden miracles are mentioned.
For the first and last answer, the
Kedushas Levi brings a creative explanation that can be classified as “chassideshe
Torah.”
The last answer of the gemarah states that
we don’t say Hallel on Purim because we were still under the rule of Achashverosh,
not completely freed from the rule of the nations of the world. What was
different about the miracle of Purim that we did not gain independence, from
the miracle of Yetzias Mitzrayim where we did gain our independence? The answer
lies in how the miracle was performed.
When Bnei Yisrael left Egypt, the
miracles surrounding their leaving were supernatural events, obvious to
everyone that Hashem must have been involved in taking Bnei Yisrael out. Since
the Egyptians had to acknowledge Hashem as the ruler of the world, of course
they had to let Bnei Yisrael free; how could they keep them as slaves when
there was a more powerful bring ruling over all of them! However, by the miracle
of Purim, there was no obvious display of Hashem’s power; every event that took
place could be explained as natural circumstances. Therefore, there was no
recognition of Hashem’s rule and Achashverosh felt no need to let the Jews go
back to Eretz Yisrael.
Using this explanation, we can connect
these two answers. The Kedushas Levi explains that the word Hallel originates
from the word, “בהלו”,
which means clarity. When Hashem’s role is clear, when there is no doubt as to
His influence, then you can say Hallel. This
is what is meant when the gemarah says that we do not say Hallel on a miracle
done in Chutz La’aretz, outside of Eretz Yisrael, when the nations can still
hold onto their doubts of Hashem, they are considered ‘outsiders.’ Similarly,
the pasuk says, “הללו
עבדי ה'” (Tehillim 113:1), only servants of Hashem can truly
praise Him. Since the miracle of Purim was hidden, Achashverosh was able to
hold onto his doubts of Hashem, so he didn’t feel a need to grant the Jews independence.
Therefore, we cannot in good faith, say Hallel on Purim.
While we celebrate the past on Purim, we
still have something to look forward to. There will come a day when we will be
free of the rule of the nations, when we will be able to serve Hashem in the
most complete way possible. On that day, we will truly say Hallel. Who knows,
perhaps even on Purim!
A
Freilechen Purim!
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