Smiling through the tears

MUSICAL NOTE by Cantor Sherwood Goffin
MEGILLAT ESTHER - SMILING THROUGH OUR TEARS

The startling truth about about the music of the Purim Megillah is that almost half of its musical notes (tropes) are exactly the same as those of "Eicha" (Lamentations) that we read on Tisha B'Av!

This is not at all illogical when you consider that the story of Purim is the only book in the Bible canon that takes place exclusively in the Diaspora. As a Diaspora memoir, it speaks of Jews who have forgotten their religion and their Torah. It begins as they run with alacrity to eat non-Kosher food at the table of the king served in the very Holy Vessels that were stolen from the First Temple by Nebuchadnezzar. At this point, the melody changes to "Eicha" to indicate the history of those vessels.

This is only one of the numerous diversions from the music of the text, frequently using the "Eicha" melody or a joyous march-like chant. These diversions are just a reflection of the nature of Purim itself, where to be happy we have to drink significantly and wear masks, because it is difficult for a Jew to feel truly happy and free outside of Israel. However, we can still enjoy the melody and the variations in the Megillah as we rejoice in the salvation of the Jews of Shushan.

DAVEN WELL, DON'T TALK, BUT SING ALONG!