Post date: Mar 04, 2012 5:19:40 AM
צורר היהודים
Tzoreir ha’yehudim
(3:10)
The simple meaning of the phrase “Tzoreir ha’yehudim” means that Haman was the “tormentor of the Jews.” But the word “Tzoreir” is related to the word “Litzror” which also means “to bind together,” as is said in the Bracha for a deceased person, “May his soul be bound up in the everlasting bonds of life.” How does this alternative translation fit with our Pasuk?
Haman was aware of the lack of unity among Klal Yisrael at that time, and even presented this point to Achashveirosh as he described them as a “splintered and scattered” nation (3:8). The Jewish people’s strength and success comes from their unity, as was the case at Har Sinai (“like one person with one heart” [Rashi to Shemos 19:2]). And when unity was severely lacking, we suffered the loss of the second Beis Hamikdash.
But Haman’s calculation backfired in a most ironic way. The lack of closeness that he had hoped to capitalize on was suddenly replaced by national unity. Esther called for, and got, the Jews to gather in fasting and repentance (4:16). They also banded together in their defense on the thirteenth of Adar (9:2).
Since Haman’s decree was the impetus to the Jews return to unity, the Megilah eventually refers to him as “Tzoreir kol ha’yehudim,” the one who caused all of the Jews to be bound together (9:24).
[Inside Purim]