Post date: Feb 24, 2011 4:31:16 AM
אִישׁ יְהוּדִי הָיָה בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה
Ish Yehudi haya b’Shushan habirah
(2:5)
Midrash equates the prominence of Mordechai with the lofty level of Moshe Rabbeinu. This equation is hinted to by virtue of the common title “איש” (ish) used in reference to each of them. In describing Moshe, the pasuk states “וְהָאִישׁ מֹשֶׁה," v'ha'ish Moshe (Bamidbar 12:3), and when introducing Mordechai, the pasuk states “אִישׁ יְהוּדִי," ish Yehudi.
Each of these instances of “איש” add nothing to the simple meaning of the Pasuk that wouldn’t otherwise be understood had the word been omitted. Therefore we can infer that the parallel word usage equates the prominence of Mordechai with that of Moshe.
It’s clear that Moshe was the recognized leader of Klal Yisroel from the time Moshe and Aharon first approached Paroh in an attempt to free Bnei Yisroel from slavery. Mordechai was a member of the Sanhedrin, and was one of Achashveirosh’s royal advisers. He was stationed outside the gate of the palace (2:19). Furthermore, Mordechai managed to make his way into the palace with no resistance (8:7) at the time that Achashveirosh gave Haman’s estate to Esther, and allowed the two of them to send additional letters to all of the regions.
We can see that at the time of the Purim miracle, Mordechai’s prominence was similar, if not equal, to that of Moshe Rabbeinu.
(Artscroll Megillah)