Shabbat Sermon: Esther Syndrome with Rav Hazzan Aliza Berger

At the beginning of chapter two in the megillah, the talented heroine of Purim is introduced by two names. In the words of the megillah:

[And he was the guardian of Hadassah, (that is, Esther) the daughter of his uncle] (sung)

Why did she have these two names? The midrash explains that Esther was born green. Literally. Her skin had a sallow, yellowish-green tone and for this reason, she was named Hadassah—myrtle. As a little one, she looked like the plant. But as she grew older, God made a miracle for her. God concealed her green skin and made it so that anyone who saw her experienced her as the most beautiful woman in the world. That’s why she was named Esther—Esther for hester—the Hebrew word meaning hidden.

 The miracle of Purim is not just that Esther saved the day. The real miracle of Purim is that Esther found the courage to be herself no matter what.

Purim is over. Let’s take off our masks. No more Esther syndrome. It’s time to be you.