Post date: Feb 22, 2012 3:54:53 AM
כי אין לה אב ואם
“Ki ein la av va’eim”
(2:7)
Haman’s downfall came about through Esther specifically because she was an orphan. Haman had merit on his side because of the supreme fulfillment of Kibud av va’eim performed by his ancestor, Eisav. To counteract this merit, someone who exhibited perfection in this same Mitzvah was necessary. So, how does an orphan fit this bill?
The Gemara (Kidushin 31b) says “fortunate is one who never saw his parents.” What the Gemara means by this cryptic statement is that since it’s nearly impossible for one to fulfill the Mitzvah of Kibud av va’eim perfectly, one who never had parents is almost better off in regard to not having even the slightest tinge of failure of this Mitzvah. For such a person, simply wishing to perform this Mitzvah is akin to having fulfilled it perfectly because he’s not in a position to actually do so.
For this reason, Esther was chosen to be the conduit for bringing about Haman’s death. She was considered to have fulfilled the Mitzvah of Kibud av va’eim to perfection, which overpowered Haman’s inherited merit from Eisav having fulfilled the Mitzvah supremely.
[Al Hanissim]