Post date: Mar 09, 2014 4:11:2 AM
“Vaya’avor Mordechai”
And Mordechai left
(4:17)
Although the literal translation of the word “Vaya’avor” means that Mordechai left Esther’s company to put their agreed upon plan into action (having the Jews fast and daven on behalf of Esther going to Achashveirosh unannounced), there are additional understandings of what this word alludes to.
Unlike the Gemara which explains that Mordechai pushed aside (Vaya’avor) the Mitzvos of Pesach (ex- eating Matzah, drinking 4 cups of wine, etc…) because of the three day fast, Targum says that Mordechai pushed aside only the Mitzvah of Simchas Yontif. The Shut Binyan Tzion and the Aruch L’Ner clarify based on the Gemara (Yevamos 121b) explaining that Mordechai’s decree of fasting was only on large amounts of food. Therefore, the required eating of a Kzayis of Matza was allowed during this fast. That being the case, the Mitzvah of Achilas Matza could be fulfilled since it was only the Mitzvah of Simcha (enjoying a lavish meal) that he pushed aside.
[Zvi Fleisher @ shemayisrael.com]
“Yavo hamelech v’Haman hayom”
The king and Haman should come today
(5:4)
This is a significant turning point in the salvation of Klal Yisrael, and we can easily see Hashem’s orchestration behind the scenes when we notice that the Roshei Teivos of this phrase spells Hashem’s name (Yud - Key - Vav - Key). Therefore, when reading this phrase, the Ba’al Koreih reads this phrase without interruption so as to keep the Roshei Teivos together (and then repeats the entire phrase because of the noise made when he said Haman’s name).
[Zvi Fleisher @ shemayisrael.com]