Now in the days of Ahasuerus, the Ahasuerus who reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days when King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne in Susa, the capital, in the third year of his reign he gave a feast for all his officials and servants. The army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the provinces were before him, while he showed the riches of his royal glory and the splendor and pomp of his greatness for many days, 180 days.
Given that Purim was Friday, I thought it fitting to bring up a text related to the Feast of Joy on this most holy of days. I once saw a TV program discussing Purim in which a rabbi made a comment on the above passage that I don't think I'll ever forget: If Ahasuerus, merely to celebrate the pleasures of life, felt he had to rejoice for 180 days, what excuse do those who have been blessed with Torah have if they do not rejoice for the entire year?
And so I say: If Ahasuerus, out of the wealth of his royal glory, can rejoice in the splendor of his own greatness for 180 days, what excuse do we Christians have if we do not, out of the wealth of the glory of Christ's resurrection, rejoice in the infinitely greater splendor of God the entire year?
Best wishes on this Resurrection Sunday, and may you all in the coming year be blessed with the spiritual intoxications of beauty, truth, joy, and peace.
