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Which type of person is better? The person who looks at everything through the prisms of the mind or the person who looks at things more simply and sometimes more clearly? The truth is that each one has its own advantage. Through the mind one has a much more educated perspective. On the other hand, the mind doesn’t reflect the essence of the person. There are situations that our intellect does not provide answers for and the only way to proceed successfully is to be in touch with our inner self.
In any case, when it comes to the holiday of Purim, intellect is downplayed. We can see this in the very name of Purim which means lots and refers to the lots that Haman drew to ascertain when would be the most successful time to destroy the Jews. A person draws a lot when he can’t figure out with reason what to do. Also there is a mitzvah to become somewhat intoxicated on Purim which is a state where a person cannot use his intellect properly.
The reason that Purim is connected to the essence of the person is this: the salvation of the Jews came because they repented and returned to G-d after having sinned by enjoying the great feast of Achashveirosh, which celebrated the destruction of the Temple. The process of “Returning” (Teshuvah) is one where a Jew returns to his essence, which is intrinsically connected to G-d. Therefore, every Purim, we re-experience this return to our essence which reaches beyond our intellect.
