Page 42 - HaMizrachi #27 Purim USA 2021

PURIM READING

Esther, Chapter Four

— ד קרפ ,רתסא תליגמ — Rabbi Judah Dardik

Joining the Jewish Journey

pon hearing the news of the to think one could save oneself by hiding No particular person in history is neces-
destructive royal decree against from this identity. sary for G-d’s plan; someone else could
Uthe Jews, Mordechai sends a come along and assume any role that
personal message to Esther. “He [sent] Mordechai’s description of how G-d needs to be played. Mordechai’s message
the text of the law that had been pro- guides history casts these sorts of deci- to Esther is she should remember it is
claimed… for their destruction... [to] sions in an unexpected light. There is a not her royal position that best assures
show it to Esther… and charge her to classic debate among the great medieval her safety in the long-run, but rather
go to the king and to appeal to him and thinkers regarding how involved G-d is her participation and membership in
1
to plead with him for her people” (4:8). in the lives of most individuals. Some the eternal nation.
Esther demurs, citing the very real risk maintain that G-d’s hashgachah (Divine
to her life if she dares to approach the providence) appears in even the more On the day-to-day level, the theological
king uninvited. “All the… people of the minor details of all of our daily lives and issue of the extent to which G-d inter-
2
king’s provinces know that if any person, events. Others contend that the lives of venes in our lives remains in question.
But the message in this chapter, at the
most people are governed by the laws
man or woman, enters the king’s pres-
ence in the inner court without having of nature and normal cause and effect, heart of the story of Esther, is one that
with the exception of the particularly
been summoned, there is but one law righteous. However, even those in the looks to the bigger picture. We tend to
think our role in tefillah is to daven for
for him—that he be put to death” (4:11).
latter camp agree that G-d intervenes in G-d to save the Jews, when perhaps in
It is at this moment that Mordechai matters that affect the fate of Am Yisrael truth it is through our davening that we
speaks some of the most concurrently as a whole. Even if it were possible to include ourselves in the Jewish people,
chilling and uplifting words ever spoken escape one’s identity, denying it would who will ultimately be saved.
in Tanach: “Do not imagine that you, leave us on the sidelines of the forward
of all the Jews, will escape with your march into a better future.
life by being in the king’s palace. On
the contrary, if you keep silent in this Esther looks at the situation and makes 1 Chovot HaLevavot 3 (introduction), 4:3, 4:4,
crisis, relief and deliverance will come the sensible initial decision. If she goes 8:3 (19th reason) and elsewhere, one reading
to the Jews from elsewhere, while you to Achashverosh of her own accord, she of Ramban Shemot 13:16, etc.
and your father’s house will perish. And will likely be killed. That is the rule. But 2 Notably the Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim
3:17–18.
who knows, perhaps you have attained Mordechai directs her attention away
to royal position for just such a crisis” from the decrees of this earthly Persian
king, and towards the rules of the King
(4:13-14). Esther takes Mordechai’s
charge to heart, agrees to approach of the Universe. G-d made a covenant
with our earliest ancestors and prom-
Achashverosh, and her actions save the ised that Am Yisrael will always survive
lives of countless Jews in the kingdom.
even the most difficult times. The Jewish
I shiver every time I read Mordechai’s people have a role to play in the world
words. To be a Jew is to be a part of the and in history, and will live to see our
greatest and longest running story in mission to its successful conclusion.
history. We have deep roots in the past, That long term destiny is guaranteed.
have been through and accomplished an What is not guaranteed is the fate of the Rabbi Judah Dardik is Assistant Dean of
extraordinary amount, and have always individual. Yeshivat Orayta.
carried a long-term vision towards the
future. But the going has frequently been The Jewish people will survive, even A member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau
tough, and it is understandably tempting thrive. But what of the individual Jew? mizrachi.org/speakers

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