#10 Purim-Don’t Miss This Opportunity!

Purim is a day with extraordinary powers, a day auspicious for tefillah. As we know, the Arizal says that Yom Kippur is Yom Ki Purim=like Purim, meaning Purim is greater than Yom Kippur. It is a day when tefillos are answered.

The sefer Segulas Yisroel says that Purim is a big eis ratzon and Purim morning is a day when people should wake up early and daven with their whole heart for everything they need. Davening Vasikin on Purim morning is something special. If you’ve never done it, you should try it for yourself and experience it. A few years back, someone told me they daven vasikin on Purim morning. I thought to myself, “That’s really special, but me! Nah, it’s not my thing...” Well, one year, I challenged myself (I guess I was feeling spiritual!) and did it. What can I say? It really changed my Purim! There was a certain feeling in the air, the stillness, with no distractions... It was one of the few times I felt the kedusha and was able to concentrate on my davening without any interruptions.

Another really special thing is saying Tehillim on Purim. Rabbi Mordechai M’Nadvorna said that Purim is a day of abundant mercy, and through the recitation of Tehillim, one can open up all the gates of shamayim.

Rabbi Fischel Schachter related the following story about the power of tefillah on Purim, specifically in connection with shidduchim. He did not say whether the story is true or not, but regardless, it’s a nice story with a great lesson.

There was this girl who was in shidduchim for some time. One year, Purim time, her uncle called her up & told her that Purim is a special zman for tefillah; she should daven that she should find her shidduch. When Purim arrived, she locked herself into her room and poured her heart out over a Tehillim. As she finished reciting the last perek, she was picturing her gown; it was a done deal!

However, a year went by, and nothing. The following year before Purim, her uncle again called her up & reminded her about the power of tefillah on Purim. She wasn't so interested but figured if she didn’t do it, that was already starting with G-D. So, a little begrudgingly, she locked herself into her room again and poured her heart out. When she was done, she was sure. “That it didn’t work the first year, and regardless, I did it again? Now, for sure, I’ll get my yeshuah!” But again, there seemingly were no results.

The next year, she got the annual “You should remember to daven on Purim, it’s an auspicious time” phone call. This time, she decided, “You know what, forget about myself, let me daven for others!” Within that year, she got introduced to a boy and mazel tov! They got engaged! The next Purim, her husband turned to her and remarked, “You know, if not for Purim, I wouldn’t be here!”

“Hey, that’s private between me and Hashem; how do you know about it?” She asked in astonishment.

“I know you think I am the best guy in my yeshiva,” he said, “but that wasn’t always the case.

When I was younger, I had a hard time in Yeshiva. To make a long story short, I got dumped from one yeshiva to the next till I was on the streets. One Purim, my friends & I were walking and passed by a Rebbe’s Tisch. We decided to go in, just to cause trouble. When I went in," he continued, "I don’t know what came over me, but I was dancing, singing, I got all into it. But by Pesach, the inspiration wore off. The next year, Purim, my friends, and I decided to stop into a Rebbe's Tisch again, just to cause trouble. This time, when that inspirational feeling came over me, it lasted longer, but by Shavous, it was gone. This past Purim, I went into the Rebbe's Tisch once again, but this time the inspiration actually lasted. I turned my life around, returned to Yeshiva, and here I am! I’m okay now; you don’t need to worry, but I just wanted to share that with you.”

And so, his wife proceeded to share her side of the story.

It seemed like this girl’s tefillos weren’t getting her anywhere! But in reality, each time she davened, she was spiritually saving her own husband, & those tefillos eventually brought him to her!

We should never negate the power of tefillah and all the more so on Purim when it has even more power!