Hamas chose to release our brethren from captivity on Shabbos because they knew that it would cause desecration to our holiest day. Our brethren, their relatives and others would travel, and those anticipating their arrival would tune into the media to witness their release, in violation of the sanctity of Shabbos. At the same time, we have seen how accommodations for Shabbos were made for observant family members so they could hug their loved ones.
It is well known that we observe Shabbos as our sanctified day. Indeed, those who hate us know much of our observances, because, in order to hate us with such a murderous guile, they must know our traditions and what we are all about.
Next week we will be celebrating the Holiday of Purim. The Talmud tells that the wicked Haman determined the date to annihilate the Jews through drawing lots. When the month of Adar came up, he was excited because he knew that our leader Moshe died on the seventh day of the month of Adar. He thought his death was a bad omen for the Jews. However, Haman was not aware of all the details of Moshe and did not know that Moshe was also born on the seventh of Adar (which is this Friday) as well!
When Haman introduced to King Achashvairosh his plan of genocide of the Jews, the Talmud details that Haman, in order to paint a negative picture of the Jews, had a list of observances and conduct of the Jews that showed that they are a discredit to the king and to society. It is apparent that the wicked Haman researched the Jews’ observances and was quite aware of them. He also told the king that many of the Jews were ‘asleep at the wheel’ and not observing the laws, and Achashvairosh could rest assured that G-d was not happy with the Jews and he won’t suffer any repercussions if he eliminates them.
The king was still reluctant to personally start up with G-d’s nation, but he gave Haman the authority to freely do whatever he wanted to the Jews.
Haman, signed with the king’s signet that he possessed, documents that stated that on the 13th of Adar of the following year, all Jews were to be eliminated and the Jews were forbidden to defend themselves.
When this happened our leader Mordechai immediately sprang into action and contacted Queen Esther in the palace. After some discussion, Esther said she would go personally to the king uninvited, which could have cost her her life. Esther instructed that all the Jews fast for three days, and she and her maidens did so as well. Sincere prayers and repentance to G-d, would give her a chance to make it to the king to plead for her brethren.
The king welcomed Esther and asked what she wanted. She requested that he attend, along with Haman, a party she arranged. At the party the King asked Esther what she wanted and she asked him to attend another party, the next day, together with Haman. This of course raised feelings of jealousy within the king.
Haman left the party feeling like a million. However, when he saw Mordechai the Jew not paying any attention to him, it totally dulled his spirit. When he came home he complained about it.
Targum teaches us that Haman’s wife Zeresh was very superstitious and knowledgeable about Jewish history and began to go through our past to see which type of murderous weapon would work against the great and righteous Mordechai. She began…
If we try to kill Mordechai by the sword, that is not going to work because our ancestor Amalek’s army was killed by the Jews with the sword when they attacked the Jews in the desert just when they were freed from Egypt.
If we try to stone him, that’s not going to work because King David killed Goliath with a stone through his slingshot.
If we try to drown him in the sea, that will not work because the waters split for the Jews when they left Egypt.
If we try to throw Mordechai in a fire, that will not work, because the prophets Chanania, Mishael and Azaria were cast into a furnace and they emerged unscathed.
If we try to throw him into a lion’s den, that won’t work, because Daniel was spared from the lion’s den.
If we try to throw him to the dogs, that won’t work either because the dogs did not bark or harm the Jews when they left Egypt.
If we try to abandon him in the midst of a desert, that too, will not work, for the Jews traveled through the desert and they emerged.
If we try to throw Mordechai into a prison cell, that will not work because their ancestor Yosef was held in one, and he emerged and became the viceroy of Egypt.
If we try to cut him with a knife, that too won’t work, for his forefather Yitzchok was spared when he was about to be sacrificed.
If we try to poke out his eyes, that won’t work because when they did it to Shimshon he then killed the Philistines.
Finally, Zeresh came up with one plan that was not yet employed against the Jews. She suggested to Haman that he erect a huge pole and have Mordechai hanged on it and everyone, Jew and non-Jew, will witness his shameful demise.
Haman was excited with her suggestion and got his workers to immediately work on constructing the pole. Haman then went to the Palace to tell the king about his plan. Well, as the Megilla goes on to relate, this too did not work to eliminate Mordechai. The Jews’ prayers, devotion and repentance were accepted by G-d and Haman’s wife’s plan boomeranged, and Haman and his ten sons wound up being hanged on the gallows he prepared for Mordechai.
The story of Purim teaches us that there is no weapon that is as strong and powerful as a Jew’s determination to devotedly and wholeheartedly serve the Almighty!
