Post date: Feb 22, 2018 7:40:6 AM
Hi,
Purim is right around the corner. In about a week, we’ll be in the midst of joyous festivities, as we seek to fulfil the many Mitzvos of the day.
In the Megillah, we’re presented with a king whose decisions seem to be made in haste, with little consideration of the bigger picture. But by virtue of the fasting and davening of the Jews, Hashem delivered Klal Yisroel from seemingly certain harm to safety. It’s not hard to find parallels to the world we find ourselves in now with world leaders making threats to the safety of many. We, in turn, must do our part to evoke the protection and deliverance by Hashem to a time and place of peace.
To that end, what better way to accumulate merit than to show our appreciation for past miracles by delving into the story of Purim as expounded by Chazal, as we prepare to fulfill the many Mitzvos of Purim in a most meaningful way.
Enjoy the Vorts, and have a happy Purim!
Josh
[Purim Vorts] You’re on my team now
“Sheva v’esrim u’mei’ah midinah”
Seven and twenty and one hundred provinces
(1:1)
The Gemara (Megilah 11a) tells us that these 127 nations comprised all of the known world. But according to Medrash Rabbah, Chazal have a tradition that there were actually 252 nations in the world. So it would seem that Achashveirosh ruled over one nation more than half the world.
According to Rabbi Yuda, Achashveirosh conquered 7 provinces that were as difficult to conquer as 20 provinces, and he conquered 20 provinces that were as difficult to conquer as 100 provinces. So the Megilah is only discussing the 127 provinces that were the most difficult to conquer.
Rebbi Nechemiah has a different understanding. He posits that Achashveirosh took a conscription of troops from the first 7 provinces that he conquered and used them to help him conquer 20 additional provinces. Then he took an additional conscription of troops from those 20 provinces and proceeded to conquer 100 additional provinces.
[Medrash Rabbah 1:7]