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Holy Days -
Purim
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Written by Eliezer Wolfson
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A Study in Contrasts- Esther versus Haman
If we study the characters of Mordechai and Esther it is interesting to see the profound influence one’s middot have over one’s actions and personality. We see how a refined character and healthy self-esteem can build and give meaning to life while the converse is also true, that a flawed character, someone who refuses to work on his faulty middot will ultimately self-destruct.
When Mordechai refuses to bow to Haman, “Haman is filled with anger” (3:5). It is fascinating to note that Haman had been promoted to viceroy over the entire civilised world (according to one opinion in the Gemara) and despite this when one little Jew refuses to bow, his world falls apart. This is a sad but common symptom of those who have very big egos, of which Haman was the standard bearer.
If one’s world is dependent on public adulation and built on what others think of me then when one individual, no matter how seemingly insignificant, refuses to pay homage to me this means my identity, who and what I am is being called into question. There is now a gaping hole in the artificial edifice which I have built up in my imagination which serves as my identity. No-one likes being identity-less and a sure consequence of this is insane and blind hatred for those who have robbed me of myself.
The Vilna Gaon points out that Haman did not even notice that Mordechai was not bowing down but had to be told (3:4). Haman’s nose was so high in the sky he did not notice who or what was going on while he passed along. Even once he was told he refused and was even scared to accept this news and was prepared to judge Mordechai with the benefit of the doubt that maybe Mordechai did not realise how hurtful this was to Haman. The loss of one’s identity is not an easy thing to swallow and Haman feared for himself.
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Holy Days -
Purim
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Written by R' Daniel Fine
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PURIM
The Real story of the Megillah
This week we are simply going to tell a story. You might have heard this story before, but never like this. It’s a story most of us were taught from the age of 3. But equally, most of us have never upgraded our knowledge of it since. Here is the story of Megillas Esther through the eyes of the Vilna Ga’on[1]. It must be pointed out that though, to the uninformed onlooker, the Gra’s version of events seem to be far from the text of the Megillah, all the Gra reveals is mentioned in the pessukim (if one looks at the words with pinpoint accuracy). Sometimes we will point out where the passuk hints to each event, but other times we will leave it to the studious reader to consult the Peirush Hagra himself. If ‘Megillas Esther’ is all about revealing that which is hidden (being megaleh ha’hester) vis-à-vis all the little miracles Hashem employs in running the world, then the Gra certainly does bring out these little miracles in the Megillah. It’s a little long, but we’ve tried to add in a bit of entertainment, and it certainly is worth the read. Here’s the scoop. Brace yourselves for something extraordinary…
The story begins: The New Capital
Once upon a festival there was a king called Achashveirosh. Originally a ‘stableman,’ Achashveirosh had usurped the throne of the Babylonian Empire (previously moulded by Nebuchadnezzar) using various underhand means (Gaddafi would have been proud). Unsurprisingly, as a king of 127 countries over which he had no hereditary right to rule, Achashveirosh was looking for ways to legitimise his rule – to win the people over to douse his fears of a rebellion. Thus, he married a lady called Vashti, who, apart from being particularly beautiful (on the outside at least), was Nebuchadnezzar’s granddaughter.
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Read more...
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Holy Days -
Purim
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Written by d fine
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The Me’iri explains that the reason the Mishnah forbids reading the Megillah in reverse order (from the end part back to the beginning) is that only when one reads the story forwards does one gain an appreciation for how the individual events came together to form the magnificent Divinely-woven tapestry we call Megillas Esther. Only when we read the Megillah forwards do we see the Divine Hand properly, and only then does the Megillas Esther take on its real role of being megaleh the hester (revealing the hidden).
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Holy Days -
Purim
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Written by d fine
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One of the things which seems to make an non-insignificant appearance in the Megillah is the sum of money. Haman is constantly stressing the fact that he wants to give the king money to have the Jews killed, whilst Achashveirosh refuses such an offer. Why is the money an important part of the story that the Megillah sees it fit to tell us about it? Rav Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld gives a remarkable insight here. He writes that Haman had a cunning plan here. He would ask Achashveirosh for permission to kill off the Jews, but at the same time he would give Achashveirosh money so it would look like Haman was paying Achashveirosh for this right. When the various ethnic groups would see that Haman has paid Achashveirosh for the right to kill of a sect of society, they’d all get extremely worried; ‘what if someone comes up with enough money to persuade the king to have us killed next?’ they’d think. The outcome would be that there would be a rebellion and Achashveirosh would be overthrown, with the convenient consequence of Haman becoming the new king. In other words, the money was part of Haman’s plan to overthrow Achashveirosh - ultimately something that Achashveirosh did not fall for. And, Esther, having realised that this was Haman’s intention via the money all along, does not forget to drop this into her claims against Haman to the king when she is pleading for her life - ‘for my people have been sold.’
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Holy Days -
Purim
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Written by D Fine
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We shall end with a short idea about Purim. Esther and Mordechai instituted mishlo’ach manos as part of the Purim festivities. What has this got to do with Purim? Purim is about recognising HaShem’s Hand in everyday events. Where does sending food to one’s mate come into this?[14] We can answer via a note that was hung on the door to the Beis HaMedrash in Kelm during the month of Ellul each year. The note reminded everyone to be extra careful to create unity and foster good relations with others during the month leading up to Rosh HaShanah. What does this have to do with Rosh HaShanah?
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