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would understand that the horse is just difference human action makes is how decide how that energy will be used. We
an engine generating energy. It is, in fact, Creation affects them, not how humans have the right of first refusal. And so Mor-
the small biped, the rider, who is directing affect Creation. Human activity can result dechai says: “Would you like to intervene,
the horse. This midrash suggests that the in personal reward or punishment. But Esther, or would you prefer someone else
world is comparable to a horse, and G-d is there is no way that human effort will achieve G-d’s goal? But make no mistake –
its rider. Humankind produces prodigious make a difference in the Divine plan’s salvation will be accomplished no matter
energy, but the rider determines the uses. outcome. your choice.”
It is well known that G-d’s name does There was one historical moment when This is how Purim became the antithesis
not appear in the Megillah. However, the this truth came vividly to life. An aston- of Moshe’s death. And this is why Haman
midrash teaches that wherever the text ishing scene in the Megillah contains what was wrong to be excited by his lottery’s
uses the word, HaMelech, “the king”, unac- may be the most momentous dialogue results. He would have been correct to
companied by the name Achashverosh, it in the entire Tanach. When Mordechai rejoice had we still suffered from Moshe’s
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can refer to G-d Himself. In light of this, hears of Haman’s genocidal decree, he failure to teach our people the lesson of
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consider Haman’s answer to Achash- sends a message to Esther that she must the rock. Fortunately, Haman was wrong –
verosh’s question about honoring a man intercede with the king. Esther replies that for Mordechai and Esther understood that
the king wishes to esteem. This man, it’s hazardous to seek an audience with the our choices only affect ourselves but G-d
answers Haman, should be placed on “a king without an invitation, a perfectly rea- bestrides the world like a rider straddles
horse on which the king has ridden”. If sonable response. We would expect Mor- a horse.
this HaMelech refers to G-d, then the horse dechai to answer, “Esther, my dear, this is
that G-d rides is the world itself. And if the moment for you to fulfill your destiny.
Haman views himself as the rider of this Isn’t it obvious that you were installed as 1. William Shakespeare, Richard III.
horse, he believes that he will both pro- queen for this opportunity to mediate on 2. Megillah 13b.
duce energy and direct it. In which case, behalf of your people? You shouldn’t even 3. Kiddushin 38a.
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the “turnabout”, “v’nahafoch hu”, is the be considering the possible consequences 4. Ta’anit 9a.
realization that human beings do not do for yourself.” But he does not. 5. Midrash Aggadah, Bamidbar 20:8. Rashi bases his
any directing. No matter what we do, the commentary on two verses – Bamidbar 20:12 and
utilization and impact of our deeds have Instead, Mordechai says the most remark- Devarim 32:51 – on this midrash.
little to do with the plans we make, as able thing. “Esther, you don’t need to inter- 6. Bereishit Rabbah 68:9.
we all discover throughout our lives. Our fere on our behalf. Surely, you didn’t think 7. Esther Rabbah 3:10.
work often leads to a completely different I wanted you to appear before the king to 8. Turnabout is a central theme of the Megillah’s
result than what we imagined. Indeed, life save the Jewish people! Whether you go story as expressed in the verse, “There was a
turnabout and the Jews prevailed over their
is what happens to you while you’re busy to Achashverosh or not, the Jewish people enemies.” (Esther 9:1).
making other plans. 9 will be saved. The only difference your 9. This profound observation is widely attributed to
intervention makes is to you. If you don’t John Lennon, who included it in his song, Beau-
This penetrating insight is the essence go in, you and your father’s house will be tiful Boy (1980). The first attribution, however, is
of the a fortiori argument that Moshe lost. If you do go in, you will win eternity. to comic strip author Allen Saunders in Reader’s
failed to teach the Jewish people. His And you will redeem your great-grandfa- Digest magazine (January 1957).
failure stemmed from his assumption ther Shaul’s mistake in allowing Haman’s 10. Esther 4:8–15.
that people are innately different from great-grandfather Agag to live long enough 11. Shmuel I 15:9 and Megillah 13a.
rocks or computers. Rocks invariably obey to reproduce. But your intercession won’t
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G-d’s commands, just as computers obey make the slightest difference to anyone
human instructions. We cannot deduce, a else – only to you.” This profound truth is
fortiori, that humans should abide by G-d’s precisely what Moshe was meant to teach
commands because rocks and computers Am Yisrael in the desert. We were supposed
are not free agents, whereas humans are. to derive from this superficially silly rea-
But from the point of view of purpose in soning that G-d’s plan for the world will
Creation, the argument is perfectly rea- always succeed – no matter what we do or
sonable. The logic suggests that G-d has don’t do. The only difference free will can
specific expectations for the outcome of make concerns the reward you will receive Rabbi Moshe Miller
Creation. For humans to fulfill Divine or the punishment you will suffer. Free is the author of Rising Moon: Unraveling the
Book of Ruth, described by Rabbi Jonathan
expectations, they must follow instruc- will allows you to be part of G-d’s plan or Sacks zt”l as “A bold, original and deeply
tions. If they do, they will be rewarded; if to withdraw from it. Nothing more or less. thought-provoking work.” He is also the author
they don’t, however, nothing will change. of the forthcoming book, Things You Should
Creation will turn out the way G-d wants Human beings will always be engines Know: A Brief Guide for the Newly Perplexed.
it to, no matter what humans do. The only producing energy. We have the option to

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