Purim

Why  do we read Megila twice, at night and in the morning?


There are two types of miracles, open and hidden miracles.   Open miracles show that Hashem can overpower nature, but it can still seem that nature has an independent reality. (This is like when a strong man overpowers a weak man; the weak man still has power of his own).  Hidden miracles show nature itself obeys only Hashem's will.

The Purim story involves both types of miracles.  Chazal say there were open miracles.  The Megila, however, speaks of hidden miracles. This shows that hidden miracles are the primary idea of Purim, and are in a certain respect greater.

We read Megila night and day.  Night is a time when the forces of nature do not function in full force.  This is like open miracles, when Hashem overpowers nature.  Daytime is when nature reveals its latent powers.  That is like hidden miracles which reveal Hashem's hand in nature.

The main reading of Megila is during the daytime.  Hidden miracles are the essence of Purim (Shem mishmuel).