The Danger of Being Jewish: A Story as Old as Purim

How One Act of Defiance Nearly Led to Genocide—And Why That Pattern Repeats

Jewish identity has always been dangerous. Across millennia, Jews have faced persecution, forced conversions, expulsions, and genocides—simply for existing.

The story of Purim (which is celebrated today) is just one cycle in a long history where Jewish survival hung in the balance.

It is a holiday of both spiritual and physical perseverance, celebrating joy, community, and the courage to take action in the face of injustice.

But it is also a stark reminder: Jewish existence has never been passive. It has always required resistance.

The Story of Purim: The Cost of Refusing to Bow

The events of Purim took place in ancient Persia during the reign of King Ahasuerus. His advisor, Haman, plotted to exterminate the Jews after Mordechai, a Jewish man, refused to bow to him.

This act of defiance wasn’t just personal—it was an assertion of a core Jewish belief: that ultimate sovereignty belongs only to God.

Why Jews Do Not Bow to Humans

Jewish tradition strictly forbids worship or submission to anyone but God:

“You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself an idol… You shall not bow down to them nor serve them.” (Exodus 20:3-5 The Ten Commandments)

“Fear the Lord your God, serve Him alone, and swear by His name. Do not follow other gods.” (Deuteronomy 6:13-14)

Mordechai’s refusal to bow wasn’t about ego. It was about identity. It was about a people who have, since the beginning, refused to erase themselves to fit into someone else’s empire.

It nearly got them all killed.

Queen Esther, Mordechai’s cousin and adopted daughter, was forced to risk everything—her status, her safety, her life—by revealing her hidden Jewish identity to the king. In doing so, she exposed Haman’s plot, and the decree was reversed. Haman was executed. The Jewish people survived.

For now.

Because history has shown us that this pattern—targeting, scapegoating, and attempted annihilation—never really stops.

Jewish Survival: Resistance at a Cost

Jewish existence has always been an act of defiance. The refusal to assimilate, to abandon faith, or to submit to unjust rulers has led to both persecution and perseverance.

Purim reminds us that one act of resistance—Mordechai refusing to bow—can endanger an entire people. But it also reminds us that standing firm in faith, in identity, in truth, can lead to redemption.

But what happens when redemption is hidden?

The Hidden Hand of God in Jewish Survival

The Book of Esther is unique among the Hebrew scriptures in one critical way: God’s name is never mentioned.

This omission has fascinated scholars for centuries. Why is God missing from a story of salvation?

Because that, too, is part of Jewish history.

• Hidden Divine Providence – The story suggests that God works through human actions rather than overt miracles.

• Esther’s Name and Concealment – Her very name is linked to hester (hiddenness), symbolizing God’s unseen presence.

• A Test of Faith – The challenge is to recognize God’s presence even when He does not reveal Himself.

Jewish history has been a long exercise in faith without obvious proof. In finding divine fingerprints on events that, to outsiders, seem like mere chance.

It is no coincidence that Jewish survival has always looked like a series of near-annihilations followed by impossible victories.

Jewish Identity Beyond Appearance

Many Jews, including Me, have heard the phrase: “You don’t look Jewish.”

At first glance, it seems like an observation. But underneath, it carries the weight of centuries of exclusion, forced assimilation, and violent erasure.

It assumes that Jewish identity is something that can be seen at a glance, that it belongs to a single stereotype. But Jewish history tells a different story:

• Jews do not have a single “look.” Jewish people come from everywhere—Sephardi, Mizrahi, Ashkenazi, Ethiopian, Indian, Persian, Latin American. There is no single face of Judaism.

• Jewish names have changed out of necessity. Forced conversions, exiles, and persecution have led many Jews to adapt their names for survival.

• The idea of “passing” is rooted in danger. Telling a Jew they “can pass” as non-Jewish may sound neutral, but it echoes the history of Jews being forced to hide who they are to avoid violence, discrimination, or death.

Jewish identity has never been about looking the part. It is about surviving against all odds.

Purim Traditions: A Celebration of Survival

Despite its dark origins, Purim is one of the most joyous Jewish holidays, filled with traditions that reflect both the hidden and revealed aspects of Jewish survival:

1. Megillah Reading – The Book of Esther is read aloud, with the audience actively participating by booing Haman’s name and cheering for Esther and Mordechai.

2. Mishloach Manot – Sending food and treats to friends and family, fostering unity and joy.

3. Matanot LaEvyonim – Giving charity to the poor to ensure that everyone can celebrate.

4. Purim Seudah – A festive meal that includes feasting and drinking.

5. Costumes and Celebrations – Dressing up in costumes emphasizes themes of hidden identities and divine intervention.

Because Purim, at its core, is a holiday about what is hidden and what is revealed.

The Danger of Jewish Identity: Then and Now

The Purim story is not unique. It is one chapter in a repeating book of Jewish history.

1. Biblical & Ancient Persecutions

• Persian Era (Purim Story): Haman sought to exterminate the Jews.

• Greek Persecution (Hanukkah Story): The Seleucid Greeks banned Jewish practices.

• Roman Oppression (70 CE): The Romans destroyed the Second Temple and exiled the Jews.

2. Medieval Europe: Expulsions & Pogroms

• England (1290), France (1394), Spain (1492): Jews were expelled, forced to convert, or killed.

• Eastern Europe (1648-1657): Pogroms led to mass Jewish slaughter.

3. The 20th Century: Holocaust & Soviet Oppression

• The Holocaust (1933-1945): Over 6 million Jews were murdered under Nazi rule.

• Soviet Persecution: Jewish culture was erased; Jewish leaders were executed.

4. The Present Day: Rising Antisemitism

• Attacks on synagogues.

• Physical assaults on Jews wearing religious symbols.

• Online hate and conspiracy theories.

• And things I cannot yet even report that I have personally witnessed and experienced, in both the United States and Canada.

The Endearing Message of Purim

Purim is more than a historical event—it is a reflection of an enduring truth.

Jewish existence has never been simple. It has never been safe. But despite exile, oppression, and persecution, the Jewish people have survived.

The hidden hand of God, human courage, and unwavering faith have ensured that no decree—not Haman’s, not Rome’s, not Hitler’s—has ever succeeded in wiping out the Jewish people.

Purim is a celebration of that survival. A reminder that even when God’s presence is hidden, His influence remains.

And most importantly, it is a call to action: to stand firm, to refuse to bow, and to embrace the joy of being Jewish—despite, and because of, the dangers it has always carried. Just like Esther and Jesus did.