Post date: Feb 26, 2018 5:12:25 AM
[Purim Vorts] Down you go
“B’har’oso es osher kivod malchuso”
Where he displayed the wealth of his glorious kingdom
(1:4)
Achashveirosh’s behavior at his party was inexcusably brazen. From his wearing the clothing of the Kohein Gadol to his disgraceful use of the vessels plundered from the destruction of the first Beis Hamikdash, his actions were disrespectful, provocative, and offensive. If we look closely at our pasuk, we can actually see a hint to Achashveirosh’s eventual downfall.
If you rearrange the letters in the word “Osher” (Ayin, Shin, Reish), you can produce the word “Rasha” (evil), which is indicative of Achashveirosh’s evil nature and his evil actions at his party. Additionally, the Sofei Teivos (ending letters) of the words “eS osheR kivoD,” Tes, Reish, Daled (the wealth of [his] glorious [kingdom]), spells the word “Teireid” (will descend). This indicates that despite his apparent glory at that moment, he would most certainly descend as a result of his punishment for having committed such horrible offenses.
[Inside Purim, p. 268]
[Purim Vorts] Tell no one
“Ein Esther magedes moladita v’es amah ca’asher tziva alleha Mordechai v’es ma’amar Mordechai Esther osah ca’asher ha’yisa v’amna ito”
Esther did not reveal her birth (family) nor her people as instructed by Mordechai, and the statement of Mordechai Esther followed, just as when she was being raised by him
(2:20)
Before Mordechai sent Esther to the palace for the queen pageant, his instruction to her included that she should emulate the actions of Sarah. How is this hinted to in our pasuk?
We’re told that Esther followed the “Ma’amar Mordechai,” the statement of Mordechai, “V’amna ito,” when she was being raised by him. The Rokeach points out that the Gematriah of the words “V’amna ito” is equal to the Gematriah of “Sarah.” (2+1+40+50+5+1+400+6 = 300+200+5) This indicates that Mordechai’s statement to Esther was that she should emulate Sarah. How? When Avraham and Sarah went down to Egypt because of the famine (Bereishis 12), Sarah did not reveal her real identity (ie, her true relationship to Avraham) to Pharaoh.
Sarah withheld her identity for Pikuach nefesh (of Avraham). Similarly, Esther withheld her identity for the Pikuach nefesh of Klal Yisroel.
[Inside Purim, p. 272]