Tefilah is the Soul of Purim

From a Shiur by Shira Smiles on Naaleh

Purim: Pride and Prayer
Teacher: Mrs. Shira Smiles       Class: Jewish Calendar II (Chanukah and Purim)
 

The essence of Amalek is Geivah (haughtiness), the essence of Esther is humility.  The best way to fight Amalek is to know that you are nothing, and Hashem is everything.  This is why we say that Mordechai was the Moshe Rabenu of his generation, Moshe was exceedingly humble, and Mordechai was also very humble.  Purim is a time of Kabalas HaTorah, and Torah can only be given to humble people.  The end of a person who is truly humble is to be elevated by the King.  This is why Mordechai was put on a horse and Haman proclaimed, "this is what happens to the one that the King wants to honor".

The essence of Purim is Tefilah. You have to have the external part of Purim, the Seudah, the Mishloach Monot and Matyonot L'Evyonim, this is the body of Purim , but every body needs a soul, and Tefilah and learning is the soul of Purim. The greatness of Purim is the greatness of our Dvekus to Hashem. Tanis Esther and Purim are times of Yemei Ratzon when we can gain closeness to Hashem that we can not get on other days.  Amalek's job is to break this connection, and this is why we are trying to blot out Amalek, so that we can come closer to Hashem.  Amelek thrives on uncertainty, therefore we have to strenghen our Emunah, and we will be able to grow on Purim by wiping out the uncertainty of Amalek.  Purim is a time when we see Hashem revealed,  and this revelation strengthens our Emunah. On Purim the barriers between us and Hashem have been wiped away and we can daven for things that normally would not be granted and they will be given to us.  Hashem says to us,  just like in the Purim story, what would you like and it is yours.  Anyone who streches out his hand. it will be given.  We may not see the obvious results of our Tefilah, but we have to know that changes are happening for our good, and they will be revealed to us eventually.