BS”D
If clothes make the man – What
are women made of? Seriously, though, it seems like a lot of the Purim feeling
revolves around clothes and costumes.
We dress up on Purim (either to
enhance the festive atmosphere or to commemorate the hidden nature of the
miracle). Yet, we also find clothes in the meggilah.
When Achashverosh is “in his
cups”, he calls for his pipe, his bowl, his fiddlers three AND Vashti to come
in – without any clothes! When Haman (ptui !- ed.) is appointed chief minister – this is
highlighted by specific jewelry (a type of garment). When Mordechai hears of
Haman’s decree he wears sackcloth and ashes. Queen Esther attempts to send
Mordechai clothes (he refuses). When Esther goes to see Achashverosh the passuk
describes her wardrobe as royalty (“ותלבש אסתר מלכות”). When Haman is forced to publicly proclaim support for
Mordechai this is expressed by dressing him up in royal clothes (we even sing
this passuk out loud !). And finally, Haman (ptui again !- ed.) begins to see his downfall – at the hands of
his own daughter – it is when he “wears” some unpleasant stuff!
What is it with clothing ?!
The answer can be best understood
if we go back to the first place in the Torah where we see clothes. Adam and
Chava have just fallen from grace and committed the sin. What does
Hashem do for them? He gives them clothes. The passuk tells us:
[בראשית
ג:כא] “ויעש ד'
א-לוקים לאדם ולאישתו כתנות עור וילבישם”
“And Hashem made garments of
leather for Adam and his wife, and He clothed them”[Bereshis 3:21]
What do these clothes represent? Well,
for one thing, forgiveness. The ability to start over, not to be burdened by
the baggage of their mistakes, but to make a fresh start. It’s true that merely
covering up your mistakes is not the same as fixing them. But when you cover
something – and you keep covering it, over and over again (everybody keeps
wearing different clothes !) you are showing that you are constantly making a
choice; a choice to regret your mistakes and a choice of what to cover them
with.
Perhaps it is for this idea that
in the Torah of Rabbi Meir the garments were not of leather “עור”, but rather of light “אור” [Medrash Rabba, Bereshis 20:12].
Because there is no greater light than the light of one who wishes with all of
their heart to correct their mistakes. This Purim let us utilize all our
potential and sincerely return to Our Father in Heaven. And when we do we will
be enveloped by such a powerful light that it will be a beacon to bring
Mashiach and the final redemption, speedily and in our days, amen.
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