R' Elazar ben Azarya's Question

Purim and Pesach are not coincidentally a month apart — they are specifically a month apart (even if that requires moving Purim into the second Adar, when the year has two). The official reason is K'DEI LISMOCH GEULA L'GEULA, in order to juxtapose Redemption to Redemption. But it is more than the Geula theme that links Purim with Pesach. Especially in our minds. 

There is a question raised about the celebration of Pesach that Hagada commentaries link to the famous Mishna in which R' Elazar b. Azarya questions the saying of the third portion of the Sh'ma at night. That passage contains the mitzva of Tzitzit, which is a day-related mitzva (disputed), and a reference to remembering Y'TZI'AT MITZRAYIM, which he thought should also be a day-related mitzva, based on the wording of the pasuk in the Torah. (Shimon) Ben Zoma “darshens” the phrase KOL Y'MEI CHAYECHA, all the days of your life, including nighttime because of the inclusive KOL. The Sages add that the KOL also includes the days of Mashiach. Some commentaries also apply the concept of days and nights to apply to good times and bad times. When Jews enjoy relative peace and tranquility in Israel (and perhaps elsewhere too), that would be "day". When we are oppressed, enslaved, persecuted, or any combination of the above – that's our nighttime. 

The question for Pesach is, do we celebrate ZMAN CHEIRUTEINU, the time of our freedom, only when we live free lives, as individuals and as a people, or even during other "nights" of Jewish history and life? 

The question is (equally) applicable to Purim (and Chanuka, for that matter). If Jews in Nazi concentration camps questioned the appropriateness of celebrating Pesach (in any form they were able to manage), then might we also challenge the significance of celebrating the victory over and redemption from those who desired to destroy every man, women, and child, the nation of Mordechai, when we are constantly subjected to acts of terror by people who are either our neighbors or live within our borders? 

The answer for both Pesach and Purim is YES. Neither was meant to be a fair-weather holiday. We observe them in day or night conditions. 

Not only that, but we can even see additional aspects to the celebrations in our darker periods. Purim and Pesach are not just joyous celebrations of what happened a long time ago (2357 and 3314 years ago respectively), but they are also here to inspire us, encourage us, and prompt us to pray for G-d's help and kindness for our current situation.