Post date: Mar 06, 2017 5:14:59 AM
“Vayeitzei Haman bayom hahu sameiach v’tov leiv”
And on that day Haman went out joyful and exuberant
[5:9]
After leaving Esther’s first party, why was Haman joyful and exuberant specifically on that day?
The Melo Ha’omer explains that Haman felt a sense of entitlement regarding Esther. After all, it was his actions that led to Esther’s ascension to the throne. If he hadn’t advised Achashveirosh to depose Vashti, there never would have been a “queen pageant,” and she wouldn’t have been in her current position. He was, therefore, constantly looking for a sign that Esther was looking to repay him. An invitation to her second royal party, one where he was again the only minister invited, sure seemed like a clear sign of that to him. He therefore left the first party joyful and exuberant.
[Megillas Esther: The Answer Is..., p. 160]
“Sameiach v’tov leiv”
Joyful and exuberant”
[5:9]
What is the difference between these two phrases describing Haman’s feelings of elation?
The Alshich explains that a person initially experiences a feeling of joy when something positive happens to him. Haman was joyful that Esther had invited him--and not a single other minister--to her party with Achashveirosh. It was a tremendous honor and he absolutely beamed. This resulted in “Tov leiv,” exuberance in his heart. He now felt confident in the success of his plan (and was oblivious to the trap that Esther was setting for him).
The Manos Haleivi says simply that Haman was joyful from the honor he was given by being invited to Esther’s party, and he felt exuberant after eating and drinking his fill at the party.
[Megillas Esther: The Answer Is..., p. 160]