Post date: Mar 13, 2017 1:5:15 AM
Midah k’neged midah
“Vayislu es Haman…Bayom hahu nassan Hamelech Achashveirosh l’Esther Hamalkah es beis Haman”
And they hanged Haman…On that very day King Achashveirosh gave the estate of Haman to Queen Esther
(7:10-8:1)
Things often work out Midah k’neged midah. The Yosef Lekach points out that Haman’s edict called for the killing of the Jews and the plundering of their possessions on the same day. Hashem arranged that on the same day that Achashveirosh killed Haman, he also transferred control of Haman's entire estate to Esther.
[Megillas Esther: The Answer Is..., p. 217]
I’d rather not say
“L’ha’avir es ra’as Haman Ha’agagi”
To remove the evil intentions of Haman, the Agagi
(8:3)
After Haman is executed, Esther begs Achashveirosh “to remove the evil intentions of Haman, the Agagi.” The Rokeach tells us that Esther actually conveyed to Achashveirosh all of Haman’s evil intentions in the singular word “Ra’as.” This is because the Gematriah of the word “Ra’as” is equal to the Gematriah of the phrase “L’hashmid la’harog ul’abeid” (to wipe out, to kill, and to annihilate).
[Inside Purim, p.285]
I hope that you enjoyed the Purim Vorts. I know that I enjoyed sharing them with you. Pesach is right around the corner, and there are so many great Haggados available that you should be able to find one that speaks to you (maybe not as the Book of Chronicles spoke to Achashveirosh, but still good nonetheless). I wish everyone the best.
-Josh