Post date: Mar 06, 2015 2:45:20 AM
As Purim comes to an end, hopefully we have discovered things within ourselves that will help us grow and become closer to HKB"H. We should use the energy gained over the last few weeks and over Purim itself to propel us through the Zman of preparation for Pesach and ultimately towards Bias Goel Tzedek, and next year Yibaneh Yerushalayim and we'll all share our Purim Vorts together. A Freilechen Shushan Purim and a Gutten Shabbos to all!
Josh
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Vessels from the first Beis Hamikdash
V’hashkos bichlei zahav v’cheilim mi’keilim shonim
The drinks were served in golden goblets, from diverse goblets
(1:7)
The Gemara (Megilah 12a) says that this refers to the vessels taken from the first Beis Hamikdash when it was sacked, plundered and destroyed. But even without this insight from the Gemara we can see this from the words used by the Megilah itself. The Sofei Teivos (ending letters) of the words “V’hashkos bichlei zahav” (Saf, Yud, Beis) when reversed spell the word Bayis (home), a hint to the Beis Hamikdash.
Additionally, the Gematriah of the words “V’hashkos bichlei” (the drinks were served in goblets) is the same as the Gematriah of the words “Zehu beis hamikdash” (this is the beis hamikdash).
[Inside Purim, p. 269]
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She outclassed him
LaYehudim haiysa orah v’simcha v’sasson vi’kar
The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor.
(8:16)
The Rokeach points out that the Gematriah of the Roshei Teivos (initial letters) of the words in the phrase “LaYehudim haiysa orah v’simcha v’sasson vi’kar” (Lamed, Heih, Alef, Vav, Vav, Vav) adds up to 54, which is the same number of times that the name of Haman appears in the Megilah.
However Esther’s name also appears in the Megilah 54 times, and we could understand that based on that, her presence totally negated Haman’s effect. As R. Zvi Fleisher adds, now that a decree that was favorable for the Jews had been sent out and “LaYehudim haiysa orah v’simcha v’sasson vi’kar,” the strength of Esther and the power of her Tefilos (and presumably those of all of Klal Yisrael who also fasted and davened) were able to fully overcome Haman’s sinister plot.
[Zvi Fleisher @ shemayisrael.com]