Post date: Mar 01, 2015 5:36:48 AM
Never be the bearer of bad news
Vayagidu l’Mordechai es divrei Esther
And they told Mordechai the words of Esther
(4:12)
Two Pesukim earlier, Esther had given Hasach a message for Mordechai and the word “Vatitzaveihu” (and she commanded him, in singular) was used. At this point when Mordechai is being given that message, there seems to be more than one person relaying the message to him based on the word “Vayagidu” (and they told, plural). Why was there as shift from one messenger to a group?
Esther had unpleasant news for Mordechai. He had told her that she needed to approach Achashveirosh uninvited to appeal the plight of the Jews, but Esther’s response to Mordechai was that she was refusing to go. Everyone knows that it’s never good to be the bearer of bad news, and Esther anticipated that Hasach would try to pawn off the responsibility of the mission on someone else, so she commanded him (Vatizaveihu). Despite this, he still found others to relay the bad news to Mordechai. Hence the form of the word “Vayagidu” is in the plural (and they told).
[Zvi Fleisher @ shemayisrael.com]
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In the merit of the fast
U’vichein avo el hamelech
And then I will go to the king
(4:16)
In detailing the conditions to Mordechai for her to approach Achashveirosh, Esther uses the word “U’vichain,” the same word that we use three times near the beginning of each of the Amidahs recited on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur as we appear before our King in judgment.
The Matteh Moshe points out that the Gematriah of the word “Vichein” is 72. He posits that Esther was making a reference to the 72 hour fast that she was about to undertake in conjunction with everyone else. In the merit of this fast she would present herself before Achashveirosh with the belief that she would be protected and would be successful in her mission to ultimately save Klal Yisrael.
[Zvi Fleisher @ shemayisrael.com]