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PURIM READING

Esther, Chapter Five

Rabbi Judah Dardik Lt. Colonel (res.) Rabbi Yedidya Atlas
— ה קרפ ,רתסא תליגמ —

The Eternal Message

hapter 5 of Megillat Esther is This is also true of the process of our quoted by his son in his book HaChafetz
a key bridge in the storyline national salvation and redemption in Chaim, printed in 1937) also perceived
Cbetween chapters 4 and 6. In our own times. the Balfour Declaration to be “a heav-
chapter 4, we read of Esther’s hesitancy enly sign regarding the forthcoming
to follow Mordechai’s instructions to Verse 5:8 reads: “If I have found favor in redemption of Israel.”
go uninvited to the king, due to the the eyes of the king, and if it pleases the
inherent life-threatening danger should king to grant my request, let the king Therefore, reading chapter 5 is a
the king not acknowledge her with his and Haman come to the feast that I shall reminder to us all to faithfully recog-
golden scepter. At Mordechai’s behest, prepare for them tomorrow, and I shall nize G-d’s great miracles transpiring
Esther prepares to carry out her mis- then do as the king asks (to reveal my all around us as the Redemption gets
sion. She understands the importance request).” This event is the beginning ever closer.
of Achdut Yisrael (the unity of the of the end for Haman and the ‘moving
Jewish people) to her mission’s success up a gear’ in the salvation process. By
and asks Mordechai to convene all the itself, we cannot predict the outcome,
Jews to fast together with her for three but for perceptive people of faith, future
days before she approaches the king. developments can be clearly foreseen.
Chapter 5 then describes Esther coming At the time of the Balfour Declara-
before the king, who stretches out his tion (pictured) in 1917, some rabbinic
scepter, understanding she would not leaders failed to see the redemptive
take such a risk if it were not import- process unfolding while others saw
ant. Esther invites King Achashverosh the future with clarity. Relating to the
and Haman to feast with her. She then aforementioned verse in the Megillah,
ducks Achashverosh’s request to tell the renowned Admor, Rav Shmuel of
him what she wants but sets the stage Sochatchov, author of the seminal
for a second feast the following day, nine-volume work Shem MiShmuel,
also with Haman. Haman, filled with gathered his leading chassidim and
joy at his apparent further rise in stat- quoted the commentary of the Ibn
ure, second only to the king, then spots Ezra on this verse: “And tomorrow I
Mordechai, who doesn’t bow to him shall do as the king asks” (in reference
in respect. Haman’s joy turns to fury to Esther revealing her request). Rav
and he returns home to consult with Shmuel pointed out that on the first
his wife Zeresh and his advisors. Zeresh day, Esther held back because she
advises him to get the king’s permission did not yet see a sign from Above
to immediately hang Mordechai on a that it was time to reveal herself and
50-cubit-high gallows so he, Haman, her request, but on the second day,
can go to Queen Esther’s feast with the after King Achashverosh had ordered
king in the proper joyous state of mind. Haman to bestow the king’s supreme
honors upon Mordechai, Esther’s heart
Chapters 6 and 7 deal with the Haman’s was strengthened to go ahead. The Lt. Colonel (res.) Rabbi Yedidya Atlas is a
downfall and execution and the Jews’ Sochatchover Rebbe continued that veteran journalist specializing in geo-polit-
subsequent salvation. Thus, the events the Balfour Declaration too was a sign ical and geo-strategic affairs in the Middle
in chapter 5 symbolize the beginning from Heaven that we are in the period East.
of Am Yisrael’s escape from the evil of atchalta deGeula, the “Beginning of
decree. Taken on its own, one could not the Redemption,” and one should not A member of the Mizrachi Speakers Bureau
know that such a process had begun. make light of it. The Chafetz Chaim (as mizrachi.org/speakers

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