Post date: Mar 02, 2017 6:15:31 AM
“Vayavo Hamelech v’Haman”
So the king and Haman came
(5:5)
When Achashveirosh and Haman come to Eshter’s first party, the pasuk uses the singular form of the word “Vayavo” (which usually means “and he came”) instead of the seemingly more appropriate plural form “Vayavo’u.” Why is this the case?
The Manos Halevi explains that when Achashveirosh and Haman arrived at the party, they both were feeling quite good of themselves, and they both carried themselves as if they were each the primary guest of honor. As such, it was impossible for an onlooker to know which one was truly the guest of honor. So the pasuk uses the singular form of the word to hint that they both acted in the same ego-inflated manner as each other, almost as if they were one singular person.
R. Shmuel di Uzida tells us that the usage of the singular term stems from the fact that both of them arrived at the party at the same moment. Despite the fact that Achashveirosh was coming from his palace which was very close, and Haman was coming from his home which was not as close to Esther’s palace, they both arrived at the party at the same moment.
[Megillas Esther: The Answer Is..., p. 153]
“Vayomer Hamelech l’Esther b’mishteh ha’yayin ma she’eilaseich v’yinasein lach”
And the king said to Esther during the wine feast, “What is your request? It shall be granted to you.”
(5:6)
The Kotzker Rebbe sees in this pasuk a message from Hashem to the Jewish people. He explains that of course Hashem answers us when we daven to him. But Hashem also looks to grant our requests even when we join together to feast in holiness. (Perhaps this had the status of a Seudas Mitzvah since Esther was involved in Pikuach Nefashos.)
[Megillas Esther: The Answer Is..., p. 153]