Post date: Feb 28, 2018 6:1:2 AM
[Purim Vorts] Now is the time
“Lavo el hamelech l’his’chanen lo il’vakeish mil’fanav al amah”
To go to the king, to implore of him, and to plead with him for her people
(4:8)
Mordechai and Esther exchanged messages through Hasach as they discussed the next step to take. Mordechai used repetitive language when he told Esther that now was the time for her to go to Achashveirosh to try to save the Jewish people. But there must be more to it than simple repetition.
According to the Manos Halevi, Mordechai wanted to strengthen Esther for her mission to plead that Achashveirosh annul the decree against the Jews. He stressed that she would have to do more than simply “implore” of Achashveirosh. She also had to risk her life “for her people” similar to how Moshe Rabbeinu had done so when he lobbied on behalf of Klal Yisroel.
Going a step further, the Megillas Eliyahu tells us that Mordechai was now giving Esther a new directive contrary to what she was told earlier. When Mordechai sent her to the palace originally, he told her to make certain to not divulge the identity of her nation. At this time, however, he told Esther “to plead with him for her people,” a charge to reveal her nationality in an effort to save her Jewish brethren.
[Megillas Esther: The Answer Is..., p. 127]
[Purim Vorts] Three days
“Vaya’avor Mordechai vaya’as k’chol asher tzivsa alav Esther”
And Mordechai left and did all the Esther had instructed him
(4:17)
Mordechai agreed to Esther’s conditions, and he declared that the Jews should fast three days. Because of the criticality of the situation, Mordechai’s declaration to the Jews meant that they would be fasting on Pesach.
These fasts were full-day fasts, going from night through the entire next day. According to the Teshuvos Rivash (416), fasting three days straight is virtually impossible. Instead they were instructed to fast on a Monday, that Thursday, and then the following Monday (similar to how some observe the fast days of B’hav these days).
[The Torah Anthology: Me’am Lo’ez: Esther, p. 114]