CTeenConnection

By Samara Smukler//Boca Raton, FL

With the joyous festival of Purim behind us, it’s time to reflect on what the holiday means to us.  many of us dreamt up our perfect costumes, handed out Mishloch Manot to our friends, and debated on which filling to put in our hamentashen(chocolate, always chocolate). However, beyond its triumphant story and exciting festivities, Purim also has a very important lesson to offer — one about modesty, and humility, and how these are traits that can benefit us long after Purim is over.

How does the Purim story teach us what it means to be humble?

Queen Esther is the primary example of humility in the Purim story. Throughout the entire Purim story, whether maintaining her Jewish identity in the palace or fighting for the rights of the Jewish people, Esther’s integrity and modesty shone through in her every move. Ultimately, she is the story’s heroine, as her strong morals and values set the stage for its happy ending. Esther shows us that you don’t have to be loud, boisterous, or showy to be a leader in your own right. If you remain true to who you are and find strength in that, you have the power to be spectacular.

How can we use this in our daily lives?

True humility comes from being confident in your own skin. When you know who you are and what you stand for, you don’t have to overcompensate or compete to feel worthy. Humility also means realizing that while you have so much to offer as a person, there is also a lot you can learn from others. By being comfortable with your place in the world and what your personal goals are, you’ll understand that there is room for other people to succeed, too. And when we are all humble and modest, we can help ourselves and help each other accomplish great things.