Translation by Yehoshua Siskin
Every year I forget to publicize this special Purim story in time for the holiday. So here it is with several days to consider how to apply the lesson that it teaches.
In Megillat Esther, we find the mitzvah of mishloach manot, of "sending portions (of food and drink) from one friend to another." According to the halacha, we only need to send such portions to a single individual. Yet most of us send portions to lots of people, much to the delight of our children who serve as our emissaries, delivering our goodie baskets into the hands of the recipients. However, nearly always these baskets are delivered to friends and close acquaintances alone.
Several years ago, on Purim morning, someone who had not spoken to me or to my husband for several months knocked on our door. The three of us, along with several other people, had worked on a certain project which ended in a general conflict, leaving bitter feelings all around.
And suddenly one of these antagonists was at the door with a giant mishloach manot basket overflowing with sweets. The children began to dance around it and we began to talk to our former adversary. On every Purim since then I am reminded how mishloach manot are not only meant to be sent from one friend to another, but also to turn opponents into friends.
It is said that Yom Hakipurim contains an element of Purim since a literal meaning of kipurim is "like Purim." And so, as this story illustrates, Purim -- like Yom Hakipurim -- is an opportunity to request forgiveness of others and make amends.
It would appear that disagreements and tensions between people could disappear if only they would knock on each other's door, deliver mishloach manot, and wish each other a happy Purim.
