#pshat

I had an interesting conversation with a friend the other day. We were discussing an issue in Megillat Esther. My friend and I had both learned a very powerful explanation for the passage in question, which had been foundational to our Purim experience in years past. My friend’s question was predicated on this explanation. As he presented the issue I offered a resolution based on the text itself; one which was sound but uninspiring, and which did not accept the powerful explanation as a premise. My friend’s response was that if my answer was true the whole passage in the megillah became ordinary, even boring. And worse, with such an understanding there would be no meaning to the holiday. How could such an answer be right if it was so emotionally and spiritual empty? 

Instead of responding I opted to leave the matter as a question. “Tzarich iyyun”, I responded, it requires further investigation. My reasoning was that it would be unfair to burst someone else’s Purim bubble by pressing the issue, especially if I don’t have something better or more inspiring to replace it with. If this pshat is necessary for someone to have a Purim then, for him, let it stand. But I am reminded of the famous quote from the eminently quotable Thomas Henry Huxley 

“Sit down before fact like a little child, and be prepared to give up every preconceived notion, follow humbly wherever and to whatever abyss Nature leads or you shall learn nothing”