[Avodah] A Purim Twist

[Cantor Wolberg]

1) We're all familiar with the custom and law of making much noise when Haman's name is mentioned during the reading of the Megilla.  The standard answer to why we do it is to drown out his name.  I see another reason.  We must make a lot of noise against EVIL.  Haman, a descendant of Amalek, is evil personified.  We cannot be silent in the face of evil.  We must yell, shout, and make all the noise we can. (Does this sound timely)?
 
2) If we were asked the etymology of the word "Megilla," we would say it comes from the word galal, "to roll."  The word gelila, "wrapping the Torah" also comes from the same root. I came across a nice midrashic twist.  As we know the word "Esther" has as its root "samech, tof, reish" for hidden.  Interestingly, Megilla has been explained to have the root giluy, which means "revealed."  Hence, we have a major theme for the Megilla -- revealing that which is hidden.