In a chaotic re-reading of the Megillat Esther, the Midrash offers up the perspective of Haman and Amalek as background for the decree against the Jewish People.
Some features to note:
- The Midrash appears layered with the following:
- A new narrative of the Purim story featuring various portions of new dialogue between Haman and Achashverosh, the advisors, Mordechai, and others
- An extended exploration into the perspective and motivations of Haman, described as the contents of a letter accompanying the decree
- A cosmic narrative featuring the Torah, the angels, Elijah, the Patriarchs, and Moses
- Various Midrashic interpretations of verses that may be viewed as the source for these new narratives or as footnotes to the narratives
How were these layers intended to be represented?
What is unusual is the extended treatment of the perspective of Haman who questions the Jewish People's actions throughout its history, and who casts doubt on the ability of God to protect the Jewish People following the destruction of the Temple by King Nebuchadnezzar.
אִם עַל הַמֶּלֶךְ טוֹב יִכָּתֵב לְאַבְּדָם (אסתר ג, ט)
אָמַר רֵישׁ לָקִישׁ בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁאָמַר הָמָן הָרָשָׁע לַאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ בּוֹא וּנְאַבֵּד אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן הָעוֹלָם, אָמַר לוֹ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ, לָא יָכֹלְתָּ לְהוֹן, בְּדִיל דֶּאֱלָהֲהוֹן לָא שָׁבֵיק לוֹן כָּל עִקָּר, תָּא חֲזֵי מָה עֲבֵיד לוֹן לְמַלְכִין קַמָּאֵי דַּהֲווֹן קוֹמֵינָן דַּהֲווֹן פָּשְׁטִין יְדֵיהוֹן עֲלֵיהוֹן, דַּהֲווֹן מַלְכַיָא רַבְרְבַיָא וְגוּבְרַיָא טְפֵי מִינָּן, וְכָל מַאן דְּאָתֵי עֲלֵיהוֹן לְמֵבְדִּינְהוּ מִן עָלְמָא וּדְיָעַץ עֲלֵיהוֹן, מִיבַּטֵּל מִן עָלְמָא וַהֲוֵי לִמְתָל לְכָל דָּרֵי עָלְמָא, וַאֲנַן דְּלָא מַעֲלֵינַן כְּוָתַיְהוּ עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה, שְׁבֵיק לָךְ מִלְמַלָּלָא, תּוּב בְּפִתְגָּמָא דְּנָא. וְאַף עַל פִּי כֵן הָיָה הָמָן הָרָשָׁע מְטָרֵד עַל אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ עַל פִּתְגָּמָא דְּנָא כָּל שַׁעְתָּא וְשַׁעְתָּא וּמְיָעֲצוֹ עֵצוֹת רָעוֹת עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל. אָמַר לוֹ אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ הוֹאִיל וְכָךְ נִמָּלֵךְ בַּחֲכָמִים וּבַחַרְטֻמִּים. מִיָּד שָׁלַח וְקִבֵּץ אֶת כָּל חַכְמֵי אֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם, בָּאוּ כֻלָּן לְפָנָיו, אָמַר לָהֶם אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ, רְצוֹנְכֶם שֶׁנְּאַבֵּד אֻמָּה זוֹ מִן הָעוֹלָם, אָמְרוּ לוֹ כֻּלָּן בְּבַת אַחַת מִי הוּא זֶה וְאֵיזֶה הוּא אֲשֶׁר מְלָאוֹ לִבּוֹ לַעֲשׂוֹת כֵּן וְרוֹצֶה לְהַשְׁלִיךְ בְּדָבָר זֶה, שֶׁאִם אַתָּה מְאַבֵּד יִשְׂרָאֵל מִן הָעוֹלָם אֵין הָעוֹלָם מִתְקַיֵּם אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל הַתּוֹרָה שֶׁנִּתְּנָה לָהֶם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (ירמיה לג, כה): אִם לֹא בְרִיתִי יוֹמָם וָלָיְלָה חֻקּוֹת שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ לֹא שָׂמְתִּי. וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁכָּל הָעוֹבְדֵי גִּלּוּלִים נִקְרְאוּ נָכְרִים לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, [וישראל נקראים קרובים], הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (מלכים א ח, מא): וְגַם אֶל הַנָּכְרִי אֲשֶׁר לֹא מֵעַמְךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל הוּא. וְיִשְׂרָאֵל נִקְרְאוּ קְרוֹבִים, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (תהלים קמח, יד): לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַם קְרֹבוֹ. וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁנִּקְרְאוּ בָּנִים, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמות ד, כב): בְּנִי בְכֹרִי יִשְׂרָאֵל, (דברים יד, א): בָּנִים אַתֶּם לַundefined אֱלֹקֵיכֶם. וְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא נִקְרָא קָרוֹב לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (תהלים קמה, יח): קָרוֹב undefined לְכָל קֹרְאָיו לְכֹל אֲשֶׁר יִקְרָאֻהוּ בֶאֱמֶת. וְאֵין אֻמָּה קְרוֹבָה לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֶלָּא יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (דברים ד, ז): כַּundefined אֱלֹקֵינוּ בְּכָל קָרְאֵנוּ אֵלָיו, וְאָדָם שֶׁרוֹצֶה לִשְׁלֹחַ יָד בִּקְרוֹבָיו וּבְבָנָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא אֵיךְ יִמָּלֵט, לְפִי שֶׁהוּא שַׁלִּיט בָּעֶלְיוֹנִים וְתַחְתּוֹנִים, וְנֶפֶשׁ כָּל חַי, בְּיָדוֹ לְהַגְבִּיהַּ וּלְהַשְׁפִּיל, לְהָמִית וּלְהַחֲיּוֹת. לֵךְ הִתְבּוֹנֵן בַּמְלָכִים הָרִאשׁוֹנִים שֶׁעָבְרוּ עַל שֶׁפָּשְׁטוּ יְדֵיהֶם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, מָה עָלְתָה בָּהֶם, כְּמוֹ פַּרְעֹה וְסַנְחֵרִיב. מִיָּד אָמַר לוֹן הָמָן, אֱלוֹקַּ שֶׁטִּבַּע פַּרְעֹה בַּיָּם וְעָשָׂה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל נִסִּים וּגְבוּרוֹת שֶׁשְּׁמַעְתֶּם, כְּבָר הוּא זָקֵן וְאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לַעֲשׂוֹת כְּלוּם, שֶׁכְּבָר עָלָה נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר וְהֶחֱרִיב בֵּיתוֹ, וְשָׂרַף אֶת הֵיכָלוֹ, וְהִגְלָה אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל וּפִזְרָן בֵּין הָאֻמּוֹת, וְהֵיכָן כֹּחוֹ וּגְבוּרָתוֹ שֶׁכְּבָר הִזְקִין, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים צד, ז): וַיֹּאמְרוּ לֹא יִרְאֶה יָהּ וְלֹא יָבִין אֱלֹקֵי יַעֲקֹב. כֵּיוָן שֶׁאָמַר לָהֶם כֵּן כָּעִנְיָן הַזֶּה, מִיָּד קִבְּלוּ דְבָרָיו וְהִסְכִּימָה דַעְתָּם לְכַלּוֹת אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְכָתְבוּ אִגְרוֹת וְחָתְמוּ. וְכֵן כָּתְבוּ בְּאוֹתָן אִגְרוֹת, שָׁלוֹם לָכֶם עַד אֵין חֵקֶר, יִוָּדַע לָכֶם שֶׁאָדָם יֵשׁ בֵּינֵינוּ, וְלֹא מִמְקוֹמֵנוּ הוּא אֶלָּא מִזֶּרַע הַמְלוּכָה הוּא, וּמִזַּרְעוֹ שֶׁל עֲמָלֵק וּמִגְּדוֹלֵי הַדּוֹר הוּא, וְהָמָן שְׁמוֹ, וְשָׁאַל מִמֶּנּוּ שְׁאֵלָה קְטַנָּה וְקַלָּה עַל עַם אֶחָד אֲשֶׁר יֵשׁ בֵּינֵינוּ, נִבְזֶה מִכָּל הָעַמִּים, וְדַעְתָּם גַּסָּה עֲלֵיהֶם, חֲפֵצִים בְּרָעָתֵנוּ וְקִלְּלַת הַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁגוּרָה בְּפִיהֶם, וּמַהוּ קְלָלָה שֶׁמְקַלְּלִין אוֹתָנוּ (תהלים י, טז): undefined מֶלֶךְ עוֹלָם וָעֶד אָבְדוּ גוֹיִם מֵאַרְצוֹ. וְעוֹד אוֹמְרִים (תהלים קמט, ז): לַעֲשׂוֹת נְקָמָה בַּגּוֹיִם תּוֹכֵחוֹת בַּלְאֻמִּים. וְכוֹפְרִים בְּמִי שֶׁעָשָׂה לָהֶם טוֹבָה, בּוֹאוּ וּרְאוּ מֵאוֹתוֹ עָנִי פַּרְעֹה מֶה עָשׂוּ, כְּשֶׁיָּרְדוּ לְמִצְרַיִם קִבְּלָם בְּסֵבֶר פָּנִים יָפוֹת, וְהוֹשִׁיבָם בְּמֵיטַב הָאָרֶץ, וְזָן אוֹתָן בִּשְׁנֵי רְעָבוֹן, וְהֶאֱכִילָם כָּל טוּב שֶׁבְּאַרְצוֹ, פַּלְטֵרִים הָיוּ לוֹ לִבְנוֹת וְהָיוּ בּוֹנִין שָׁם, בְּכָל זֹאת לֹא הָיָה יָכוֹל לָהֶם, וְלֹא עוֹד אֶלָּא שֶׁבָּאוּ בַּעֲלִילָה וְאָמְרוּ לוֹ (שמות ה, ג): לִזְבֹּחַ לַundefined אֱלֹקֵינוּ נֵלֵךְ דֶּרֶךְ שְׁלשֶׁת יָמִים, אַחַר כָּךְ נָשׁוּב, אִם רְצוֹנְךָ הַשְׁאִילֵנוּ כְּלֵי כֶסֶף וכְלֵי זָהָב וּשְׂמָלוֹת, וְהִשְׁאִילוּם כַּסְפָּם וּזְהָבָם וְכָל הַבְּגָדִים הַטּוֹבִים שֶׁלָּהֶם, וְטָעֲנוּ כָּל אֶחָד כַּמָּה חֲמוֹרִים שֶׁלָּהֶם לְאֵין מִסְפָּר, עַד שֶׁנִּצְּלוּ אֶת מִצְרַיִם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמות יב, לו): וַיְנַצְּלוּ אֶת מִצְרָיִם, וּבָרְחוּ לָהֶם. כֵּיוָן שֶׁשָּׁמַע פַּרְעֹה שֶׁהָיוּ בּוֹרְחִים, הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵיהֶם לְהָשִׁיב אֶת מָמוֹנוֹ, מֶה עָשׂוּ לוֹ, הָיָה עִמָּהֶם אָדָם אֶחָד וּשְׁמוֹ משֶׁה בֶּן עַמְרָם, וּבִכְשָׁפָיו נָטַל מַקֵּל אֶחָד וְלָחַשׁ עָלָיו וְהִכָּה בּוֹ אֶת הַיָּם עַד שֶׁנֶּחֱרַב, וְנִכְנְסוּ כֻּלָּם בַּיַּבָּשָׁה בְּתוֹךְ הַיָּם וְעָבְרוּ כֻלָּם, וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ בַּמֶּה עָבְרוּ, וּבַמֶּה יִבְּשׁוּ הַמַּיִם. כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאָה פַּרְעֹה נִכְנַס אַחֲרֵיהֶם לְהַחֲזִיר אֶת מָמוֹנוֹ, וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ בַּמֶּה דְּחָפוּהוּ בְּתוֹךְ הַיָּם, וְנִטְבַּע הוּא וְכָל חֵילוֹ בַּיָּם, וְלֹא זָכְרוּ הַטּוֹבָה שֶׁעָשָׂה לָהֶם, הֲלֹא תִשְׁמְעוּ שֶׁהֵם כְּפוּיֵי טוֹבָה. וְעוֹד מֶה עָשׂוּ לַעֲמָלֵק אֲבִי אַבָּא, בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁבָּא עֲלֵיהֶם לַמִּלְחָמָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמות יז, ח): וַיָּבֹא עֲמָלֵק וַיִּלָּחֶם עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּרְפִידִים, וּמֵהֵיכָן בָּא עֲמָלֵק, אָמַר רַבִּי כְּרוּסְפְּדָאי בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי יוֹחָנָן שֶׁבָּא מֵאֵצֶל בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע, שֶׁבָּא לִטֹּל עֵצָה מִמֶּנּוּ, וְאָמַר לוֹ יוֹדֵעַ אֲנִי שֶׁבַּעַל עֵצָה אַתָּה וְגַם בַּעַל מַחְשָׁבוֹת רָעוֹת, וְכָל הַנּוֹטֵל עֵצָה מִמְךָ אֵינוֹ נִכְשָׁל. אָמַר לוֹ רְאֵה מֶה עָשׂוּ אֻמָּה זוֹ לְמִצְרַיִם, שֶׁעָשׂוּ לָהֶם כַּמָּה טוֹבוֹת, וּמַה לְּמִצְרַיִם שֶׁעָשׂוּ לָהֶם כַּמָּה טוֹבוֹת עָשׂוּ לָהֶם כָּךְ, לִשְׁאָר אֻמּוֹת עַל אַחַת כַּמָּה וְכַמָּה, הֵיאַךְ אַתָּה יוֹעֲצֵנִי, אָמַר לוֹ בִּלְעָם, לֵךְ וַעֲשֵׂה עִמָּהֶם מִלְחָמָה, וְאִם אֵין אַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה עִמָּהֶם מִלְחָמָה אֵין אַתָּה יָכוֹל לָהֶם, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהֵן תְּלוּיִין בִּזְכוּתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אֲבִיהֶם, וְאַף אַתָּה שֶׁהוּא בֶּן בְּנוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם, תָּלוּי בִּזְכוּתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם. מִיָּד בָּא עֲלֵיהֶם לַמִּלְחָמָה. מֶה עָשָׂה אוֹתוֹ משֶׁה פַּרְנָס שֶׁלָּהֶם, הָיָה לוֹ תַּלְמִיד אֶחָד יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בִּן נוּן שְׁמוֹ, וְהָיָה אַכְזָרִי עַד מְאֹד וְלֹא הָיָה לוֹ רַחֲמִים, אָמַר לוֹ אוֹתוֹ משֶׁה (שמות יז, ט): בְּחַר לָנוּ אֲנָשִׁים וְצֵא הִלָּחֵם בַּעֲמָלֵק, אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ אוֹתָן אֲנָשִׁים שֶׁבָּחַר אִם בַּעֲלֵי כְשָׁפִים הֵם, אוֹ אִם גִּבּוֹרֵי מִלְחָמָה, מֶה עָשָׂה אוֹתוֹ משֶׁה נָטַל מַקֵּל בְּיָדוֹ וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ מֶה עָשָׂה בוֹ, וְכֵיוָן שֶׁבָּא עֲלֵיהֶם אֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ מַה לָּחַשׁ עֲלֵיהֶם וְרָפוּ יְדֵיהֶם וְנָפְלוּ לִפְנֵיהֶם, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (שמות יז, יג): וַיַּחֲלשׁ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אֶת עֲמָלֵק וְאֶת עַמּוֹ לְפִי חָרֶב. בָּאוּ עַל סִיחוֹן וְעוֹג גִּבּוֹרֵי אַרְצֵנוּ, שֶׁאֵין כָּל בְּרִיָּה הָיְתָה יְכוֹלָה לַעֲמֹד בִּפְנֵיהֶם, וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ בַּמֶּה הֲרָגוּם. בָּאוּ עֲלֵיהֶם מַלְכֵי מִדְיָן, וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ בַּמֶּה הֲרָגָן. וְעוֹד מֶה עָשָׂה תַּלְמִיד שֶׁל אוֹתוֹ הָאִישׁ משֶׁה, הִכְנִיס אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְאֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן, וְלֹא דַי שֶׁנָּטַל אֶת אַרְצָם, אֶלָּא שֶׁהָרַג מֵהֶם שְׁלשִׁים וְאֶחָד מְלָכִים, וְחִלֵּק אֶת אַרְצָם לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, וְלֹא חָמַל עֲלֵיהֶן, וְאוֹתָן שֶׁלֹא בִּקֵּשׁ לַהֲרֹג הָיוּ לוֹ לַעֲבָדִים. בָּאוּ עֲלֵיהֶם סִיסְרָא וַהֲמוֹנוֹ וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ מֶה עָשׂוּ לוֹ לְנַחַל קִישׁוֹן שֶׁגְּרָפָם וּשְׁטָפָם וְהִשְׁלִיכָם לַיָּם הַגָּדוֹל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שופטים ה, כא): נַחַל קִישׁוֹן גְּרָפָם. וְהָיָה לָהֶם מֶלֶךְ רִאשׁוֹן שָׁאוּל שְׁמוֹ, וְהָלַךְ וְנִלְחַם בְּאֶרֶץ אֲבִי אַבָּא עֲמָלֵק, וְהָרַג מֵהֶם מֵאָה אֲלָפִים פָּרָשִׁים בְּיוֹם אֶחָד, וְגַם לֹא חָמַל עַל אִישׁ וְעַל אִשָּׁה וְלֹא עַל עוֹלֵל וְיוֹנֵק, וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ בַּמֶּה הֲרָגָם. וְעוֹד מֶה עָשָׂה לַאֲגַג זְקֵנִי שֶׁחָמְלוּ עָלָיו תְּחִלָּה, לַסּוֹף בָּא אָדָם מֵהֶם וּשְׁמוֹ שְׁמוּאֵל, חֲתָכוֹ וְנָתַן בְּשָׂרוֹ מַאֲכָל לְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם, כְּדִכְתִיב (שמואל א טו, לג): וַיְשַׁסֵּף שְׁמוּאֵל אֶת אֲגָג, וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ בַּמֶּה הֲרָגוֹ מִיתָה מְשֻׁנָּה כָּזֹאת שֶׁשְּׁמַעְתֶּם. וְאַחַר זֹאת הָיָה לָהֶם מֶלֶךְ אֶחָד דָּוִד בֶּן יִשַּׁי שְׁמוֹ, וְהָיָה מַשְׁחִית וּמְכַלֶּה אֶת כָּל הַמַּמְלָכוֹת וְלֹא הָיָה חוֹמֵל עֲלֵיהֶם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל א כז, יא): אִישׁ וְאִשָּׁה לֹא יְחַיֶּה דָּוִד. וְעָמַד אַחֲרָיו שְׁלֹמֹה בְּנוֹ וּבָנָה לָהֶן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל בַּיִת אֶחָד וְקָרָא לוֹ בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ מֶה הָיָה לָהֶם בְּתוֹכוֹ, כְּשֶׁבָּאִין לְמִלְחָמָה נִכְנָסִין בְּתוֹכוֹ וּמְכַשְׁפִים בְּתוֹכוֹ, וּכְשֶׁהֵן יוֹצְאִים מִמֶּנּוּ הוֹרְגִים וּמַחֲרִיבִים אֶת הָעוֹלָם. וּמֵרֹב טוֹבָה שֶׁהָיָה לָהֶם מָרְדוּ בֵּאלֹהֵיהֶם, וְעוֹד שֶׁהִזְקִין אוֹתוֹ אֱלוֹקַּ שֶׁלָּהֶם, וּבָא נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר וְשָׂרַף אוֹתוֹ בַּיִת שֶׁלָּהֶם, וְהִגְלָם מֵעַל אַדְמָתָם וְהֵבִיאָם בֵּינֵינוּ, וַעֲדַיִּן לֹא שִׁנּוּ מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם הַמְכֹעָרִין. וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁהֵם בַּגָּלוּת בֵּינֵינוּ, מַלְעִיגִין אוֹתָנוּ וְאֶת אֱמוּנַת אֱלֹקֵינוּ, וְעַכְשָׁיו הִסְכַּמְנוּ כֻּלָּנוּ לְדֵעָה אַחַת, וְהִפַּלְנוּ גוֹרָלוֹת לְאַבְּדָן מִן הָעוֹלָם, וּבְאֵיזֶה זְמַן יִתָּכֵן לָנוּ לְכַלּוֹתָם, וְנָפַל עֲלֵיהֶם הַגּוֹרָל בְּחֹדֶשׁ אֲדָר בִּשְׁלשָׁה עָשָׂר בּוֹ. וְעַכְשָׁו כְּשֶׁיַּגִּיעוּ אֲלֵיכֶם הָאִגְּרוֹת הַלָּלוּ תִּהְיוּ מְזֻמָּנִים לְאוֹתוֹ הַיּוֹם, לְהַשְּׁמִיד לַהֲרֹג אֶת כָּל הַיְּהוּדִים שֶׁבֵּינֵיכֶם, מִנַּעַר וְעַד זָקֵן טַף וְנָשִׁים בְּיוֹם אֶחָד, וְלֹא תַשְׁאִירוּ מֵהֶם שָׂרִיד וּפָלִיט. וּבְשָׁעָה שֶׁנֶּחְתְּמוּ אוֹתָן הָאִגְּרוֹת וְנִתְּנוּ בְּיַד הָמָן, וַיָּבוֹא שָׂמֵחַ הוּא וְכָל בְּנֵי חֲבוּרָתוֹ, וּפָגְעוּ בְּמָרְדֳּכַי שֶׁהוּא הוֹלֵךְ לִפְנֵיהֶם, וְרָאָה מָרְדֳּכַי שְׁלשָׁה תִּינוֹקוֹת שֶׁהָיוּ בָּאִים מִבֵּית הַסֵּפֶר, וְרָץ מָרְדֳּכַי אַחֲרֵיהֶם, וּכְשֶׁרָאָה הָמָן וְכָל חֲבוּרָתוֹ שֶׁהָיָה רָץ מָרְדֳּכַי אַחֲרֵי הַתִּינוֹקוֹת, הָלְכוּ אַחֲרֵי מָרְדֳּכַי לָדַעַת מַה יִּשְׁאַל מָרְדֳּכַי מֵהֶם, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּיעַ מָרְדֳּכַי אֵצֶל הַתִּינוֹקוֹת שָׁאַל לְאֶחָד מֵהֶם פְּסֹק לִי פְּסוּקֶיךָ, אָמַר לוֹ (משלי ג, כה): אַל תִּירָא מִפַּחַד פִּתְאֹם וּמִשֹּׁאַת רְשָׁעִים כִּי תָבֹא. פָּתַח הַשֵּׁנִי וְאָמַר, אֲנִי קָרִיתִי הַיּוֹם וּבָזֶה הַפָּסוּק עָמַדְתִּי מִבֵּית הַסֵּפֶר (ישעיה ח, י): עֻצוּ עֵצָה וְתֻפָר דַּבְּרוּ דָבָר וְלֹא יָקוּם כִּי עִמָּנוּ אֵל. פָּתַח הַשְּׁלִישִׁי וְאָמַר (ישעיה מו, ד): וְעַד זִקְנָה אֲנִי הוּא וְעַד שֵׂיבָה אֲנִי אֶסְבֹּל אֲנִי עָשִׂיתִי וַאֲנִי אֶשָֹּׂא וַאֲנִי אֶסְבֹּל וַאֲמַלֵּט. כֵּיוָן שֶׁשָּׁמַע מָרְדֳּכַי כָּךְ שָׂחַק וְהָיָה שָׂמֵחַ שִׂמְחָה גְדוֹלָה. אָמַר לוֹ הָמָן מָה הִיא זֹאת הַשִֹּׂמְחָה שֶׁשָֹּׂמַחְתָּ לְדִבְרֵי הַתִּינוֹקוֹת הַלָּלוּ, אָמַר עַל בְּשׂוֹרוֹת טוֹבוֹת שֶׁבִּשְׂרוּנִי שֶׁלֹא אֶפְחַד מִן הָעֵצָה הָרָעָה שֶׁיָּעַצְתָּ עָלֵינוּ. מִיָּד כָּעַס הָמָן הָרָשָׁע וְאָמַר אֵין אֲנִי שׁוֹלֵחַ יָדַי תְּחִלָּה אֶלָּא בְּאֵלּוּ הַתִּינוֹקוֹת. אָמַר רַבִּי יִצְחָק נַפְחָא, הָמָן הָרָשָׁע בַּעֲלִילָה גְדוֹלָה בָּא עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (אסתר א, ה): וּבִמְלוֹאת הַיָּמִים הָאֵלֶּה עָשָׂה הַמֶּלֶךְ לְכָל הָעָם הַנִּמְצְאִים בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה וגו', וְאֵין הָעָם הָאָמוּר כָּאן אֶלָּא יִשְׂרָאֵל, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב (דברים לג, כט): אַשְׁרֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל מִי כָמוֹךָ עַם נוֹשַׁע בַּundefined וגו', אָמַר הָמָן לַאֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ אֱלֹהֵיהֶם שֶׁל אֵלּוּ שׂוֹנֵא זִמָּה, הַעֲמֵד לָהֶם זוֹנוֹת, וְעָשָׂה לָהֶם מִשְׁתֶּה וְגָזַר עֲלֵיהֶם שֶׁיָּבוֹאוּ כֻּלָּם וְיֹאכְלוּ וְיִשְׁתּוּ וְיַעֲשׂוּ כִּרְצוֹנָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (אסתר א, ח): לַעֲשׂוֹת כִּרְצוֹן אִישׁ וָאִישׁ. כֵּיוָן שֶׁרָאָה מָרְדֳּכַי כָּךְ עָמַד וְהִכְרִיז עֲלֵיהֶם וְאָמַר לָהֶם לֹא תֵלְכוּ לֶאֱכֹל בִּסְעוּדָתוֹ שֶׁל אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ, שֶׁלֹא הִזְמִין אֶתְכֶם כִּי אִם לְלַמֵּד עֲלֵיכֶם קָטֵיגוֹרְיָא, כְּדֵי שֶׁיְהֵא פִּתְחוֹן פֶּה עִם מִדַּת הַדִּין לְקַטְרֵג עֲלֵיכֶם לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וְלֹא שָׁמְעוּ לְדִבְרֵי מָרְדֳּכַי וְהָלְכוּ כֻּלָּם לְבֵית הַמִּשְׁתֶּה. אָמַר רַבִּי יִשְׁמָעֵאל שְׁמוֹנָה עָשָׂר אֶלֶף וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת הָלְכוּ לְבֵית הַמִּשְׁתֶּה וְאָכְלוּ וְשָׁתוּ וְנִשְׁתַּכְּרוּ וְנִתְקַלְקְלוּ. מִיָּד עָמַד שָׂטָן וְהִלְשִׁין עֲלֵיהֶם לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וְאָמַר לְפָנָיו רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם עַד מָתַי תִּדְבַּק בְּאֻמָּה זוֹ שֶׁהֵם מַפְרִישִׁין לְבָבָם וֶאֱמוּנָתָם מִמְךָ, אִם רְצוֹנְךָ אַבֵּד אֻמָּה זוֹ מִן הָעוֹלָם, כִּי אֵינָם בָּאִים בִּתְשׁוּבָה לְפָנֶיךָ. אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא תּוֹרָה מַה תְּהֵא עָלֶיהָ, אָמַר לְפָנָיו רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם תִּסְתַּפֵּק בָּעֶלְיוֹנִים, וְגַם הִשְׁוָה דַעְתּוֹ לִמְחוֹת אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל. בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לָמָּה לִי אֻמָּה שֶׁבִּשְׁבִילָהּ הִרְבֵּיתִי אוֹתוֹתַי וּמוֹפְתַי לְכָל הַקָּמִים עֲלֵיהֶם לְרָעָה (דברים לב, כו): אַשְׁבִּיתָה מֶאֱנוֹשׁ זִכְרָם. מִיָּד אָמַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לַשָֹּׂטָן הָבֵא לִי מְגִלָּה וְאֶכְתֹּב עָלֶיהָ כְּלָיָה. בְּאוֹתָהּ הַשָּׁעָה הָלַךְ הַשָֹּׂטָן וְהֵבִיא לוֹ מְגִלָּה וְכָתַב עָלֶיהָ. מִיָּד יָצְתָה הַתּוֹרָה בְּבִגְדֵּי אַלְמְנוּת וְנָתְנָה קוֹלָהּ בִּבְכִי לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא, וְגַם מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת צָעֲקוּ לְקוֹל בְּכִיָּתָהּ, וְאָמְרוּ לְפָנָיו רִבּוֹנוֹ שֶׁל עוֹלָם, אִם יִשְׂרָאֵל בְּטֵלִים מִן הָעוֹלָם אָנוּ לְמָה אָנוּ צְרִיכִין בָּעוֹלָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה לג, ז): הֵן אֶרְאֶלָּם צָעֲקוּ חֻצָה מַלְאֲכֵי שָׁלוֹם מַר יִבְכָּיוּן, כֵּיוָן שֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ חַמָּה וּלְבָנָה כָּךְ, אָסְפוּ נָגְהָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (ישעיה נ, ג): אַלְבִּישׁ שָׁמַיִם קַדְרוּת וְשַׂק אָשִׂים כְּסוּתָם. בְּאוֹתָהּ שָׁעָה רָץ אֵלִיָּהוּ זָכוּר לַטּוֹב בְּבֶהָלָה אֵצֶל אֲבוֹת הָעוֹלָם וְאֵצֶל משֶׁה בֶּן עַמְרָם, וְאָמַר לָהֶם עַד מָתַי אֲבוֹת הָעוֹלָם רְדוּמִים בְּשֵׁנָה וְאִי אַתֶּם מַשְׁגִּיחִים עַל הַצָּרָה שֶׁבְּנֵיכֶם שְׁרוּיִין בָּהּ, כִּי מַלְאֲכֵי הַשָּׁרֵת וְחַמָּה וּלְבָנָה וְכוֹכָבִים וּמַזָּלוֹת וְשָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ וְכָל צְבָא הַמָּרוֹם בּוֹכִים בְּמֶרֶר, וְאַתֶּם עוֹמְדִים מִנֶּגֶד וְאֵינְכֶם מַשְׁגִּיחִים. אָמְרוּ לוֹ מִפְּנֵי מָה, אָמַר לָהֶם מִפְּנֵי שֶׁנֶּהֱנוּ מִסְּעוּדָתוֹ שֶׁל אֲחַשְׁוֵרוֹשׁ, וּבַעֲבוּר זֹאת נִגְזְרָה עֲלֵיהֶם גְּזֵרָה לְכַלּוֹתָם מִן הָעוֹלָם וּלְאַבֵּד אֶת זִכְרָם. אָמְרוּ לוֹ אַבְרָהָם יִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב אִם הֵם עָבְרוּ עַל דָּת הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא וְנֶחְתְּמָה גְּזֵרָתָם, מָה אָנוּ יְכוֹלִים לַעֲשׂוֹת. חָזַר אֵלִיָּהוּ וְאָמַר לוֹ לְמשֶׁה אִי רוֹעֶה נֶאֱמָן כַּמָּה פְּעָמִים עָמַדְתָּ עַל הַפֶּרֶץ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וּבִטַּלְתָּ גְּזֵרָתָם לְבִלְתִּי הַשְׁחִית, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים קו, כג): לוּלֵי משֶׁה בְחִירוֹ עָמַד בַּפֶּרֶץ לְפָנָיו לְהָשִׁיב חֲמָתוֹ מֵהַשְׁחִית, מַה תַּעֲנֶה עַל הַצָּרָה הַזֹּאת (ישעיה לז, ג): כִּי בָאוּ בָנִים עַד מַשְׁבֵּר וגו'. אָמַר לוֹ משֶׁה כְּלוּם יֵשׁ אָדָם כָּשֵׁר בְּאוֹתוֹ הַדּוֹר, אָמַר לוֹ יֵשׁ, וּשְׁמוֹ מָרְדֳּכַי. אָמַר לוֹ לֵךְ וְהוֹדִיעוֹ כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּעֲמֹד הוּא מִשָּׁם בִּתְפִלָּה, וַאֲנִי מִכָּאן, וּנְבַקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים עֲלֵיהֶם לִפְנֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא. אָמַר לוֹ, רוֹעֶה נֶאֱמָן, כְּבָר נִכְתְּבָה אִגֶּרֶת כְּלָיָה עַל יִשְׂרָאֵל. אָמַר לוֹ משֶׁה אִם בְּטִיט הִיא חֲתוּמָה תְּפִלָּתֵנוּ נִשְׁמַעַת, וְאִם בְּדָם נֶחְתְּמָה מַה שֶּׁהָיָה הוּא, אָמַר לוֹ בְּטִיט הִיא חֲתוּמָה. אָמַר לוֹ משֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ לֵךְ וְהוֹדִיעַ לְמָרְדֳּכַי, מִיָּד הָלַךְ וְהוֹדִיעַ לְמָרְדֳּכַי, הֲדָא הוּא דִכְתִיב: וּמָרְדֳּכַי יָדַע אֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר נַעֲשָׂה וַיִּקְרַע מָרְדֳּכַי אֶת בְּגָדָיו, כֵּיוָן שֶׁהִגִּידוּ לְאֶסְתֵּר, מִיָּד וַתִּתְחַלְחַל הַמַּלְכָּה מְאֹד. מַהוּ וַתִּתְחַלְחַל, מְלַמֵּד שֶׁפֵּרְסָה נִדָּה.
“If it pleases the king, let it be written to eliminate them [and I will weigh out ten thousand talents of silver by the hands of the king's craftsmen, to bring to the king's treasuries”] (Esther 3:9).
Reish Lakish said:
At the moment that Haman the wicked said to Aḥashverosh: ‘Come let us eliminate Israel from the world,’
Aḥashverosh said to him: ‘You cannot overcome them, because their God does not abandon them at all. Come see what He did to the kings who came before us who extended their hand against them, who were greater and more powerful kings than we are. Anyone who came against them to eliminate them from the world, and those who counseled against them, were eliminated from the world and became a proverb for all residents of the world. We, who are not as great as they were, all the more so. Cease speaking of this matter again.’
Nevertheless, Haman would constantly pester Aḥashverosh over this matter and would counsel him with evil counsel regarding Israel.
Aḥashverosh said to him: ‘Since this is the situation, we will consult the wise men and the magicians.’
Immediately, he sent for and assembled all the wise men of the nations of the world.
They all came before him.
Aḥashverosh said to them: ‘Is it your wish that we eliminate this nation from the world?’
They all said to him simultaneously: ‘“Who is he and where is he, who was so presumptuous to do so?” (Esther 7:5) – to seek to cast [lots] in this matter? For if you eliminate Israel from the world, [know that] the world only exists for the sake of the Torah that was given to Israel. That is what is written: “If it were not for My covenant of day and night, had I not set the statutes of heaven and earth, [I would indeed spurn the descendants of Jacob…]” (Jeremiah 33:25-6). Not only that, but all the idolaters are called strangers before the Holy One blessed be He [and Israel are called [His] intimates]; that is what is written: “Also to the foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel” (I Kings: 8:41). But Israel are called intimates; that is what is written: “For the children of Israel, the people who are intimate with Him” (Psalms 148:14). Not only that, but they are called children; that is what is written: “My firstborn son is Israel” (Exodus 4:22); “You are children to the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 14:1). And the Holy One blessed be He is called close to Israel; that is what is written: “The Lord is close to all who call Him sincerely” (Psalms 145:18). There is no nation that is close to the Holy One blessed be He other than Israel, as it is stated: “[For who is a great nation that has God near it] as the Lord our God in all of our calling to Him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7). A person who seeks to extend his hand against the intimates and children of the Holy One blessed be He, how can he escape, as He rules over the upper and the lower worlds, and all living beings. He has the capacity to elevate and to degrade, to put to death and to revive. Go see the previous kings, like Pharaoh and Sennacherib, who transgressed by extending their hand against Israel. What befell them?’
Immediately, Haman said to them: ‘The God who drowned Pharaoh in the sea and performed miracles on behalf of Israel, and the mighty acts of which you heard, He is already old and is unable to do anything. Nebuchadnezzar has come and destroyed His Temple and burned His Sanctuary, has exiled Israel and dispersed them among the nations. Where is His power and His might now that He has grown old? As it is stated: “They say: The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not comprehend”’ (Psalms 94:7).
Once he said this to them along these lines, they immediately accepted his proposal and they reached a consensus to annihilate Israel, and wrote letters and sealed them.
This is what they wrote in those letters: Unlimited peace to you. Let it be known to you that there is a person among us, who is of not from our place, but rather a descendant of royalty, from the descendants of Amalek and one of the great ones of this generation; Haman is his name. He asked us a small simple question about a certain people residing in our midst, most despicable of all the peoples, and they are arrogant. They seek our harm, and cursing the king is common among them. What is the curse that they curse us? “The Lord is King forever and ever; nations have perished from His land” (Psalms 10:16), and they also say: “To wreak vengeance on the nations, rebuke among the peoples,” (Psalms 149:7).
They repudiate those who have treated them well.
Come and see, from that unfortunate, Pharaoh, what did they do? When they went down to Egypt, he received them hospitably, settled them in the finest land in the country, provided for them during the famine years, and fed them all that was best in the land. He had palaces to build, they would build there; nevertheless, he was unable to get them to participate. Not only that, but they came to him with a pretext and said to him: ‘In order to sacrifice to the Lord our God, we will go on a three-day journey and we will return afterwards. If you want, lend us silver vessels and gold vessels, and garments.’ They lent them their gold, their silver, and all their fine garments. Each one of them loaded a countless number of their donkeys, until they stripped Egypt; that is what is written: “And they stripped Egypt” (Exodus 12:36), and they fled. When Pharaoh heard that they were fleeing, he followed them to recover his property. What did they do to him? There was a man with them named Moses son of Amram, and with his sorcery he took a staff, uttered an incantation and struck the sea, until it became dry. All of them entered the dry land in the sea and all of them crossed; I don’t know how they crossed, and how the water dried up.
When Pharaoh saw this, he entered [the seabed] after them to recover his property. I don’t know what pushed him into the sea. He and his entire army drowned in the sea. They did not remember that he had treated them well. Do you not hear that they are ingrates?
Moreover, what did they do to Amalek my grandfather, when he came and waged war against them? It is stated: “Amalek came and waged war with Israel in Refidim” (Exodus 17:8).
From where did Amalek come? Rabbi Kruspedai said in the name of Rabbi Yoḥanan: He came from the company of wicked Bilam, as he went to consult with him. He [Amalek] said to him: ‘We know that you are a wise counselor and a purveyor of evil plots, and anyone who receives counsel from you does not fail.’ He [Amalek] said to him: ‘Look what this nation did to Egypt, who had performed many kindnesses to them. If they did so to Egypt, who performed many kindnesses to them, to other nations, all the more so. What do you counsel me?’ Bilam said to him: ‘Go and wage war against them, and if you do not wage war against them you will be unable to overcome them, because they can rely on the merit of Abraham their forefather and you are also a descendant of Abraham and can rely on the merit of Abraham.’
They immediately came against them in war.
What did that Moses, their leader, do? He had a certain disciple, Joshua son of Nun was his name, and he was extremely cruel and had no mercy. That Moses said to him: “Choose for us men and go out and wage war with Amalek” (Exodus 17:9). I don’t know if those men whom he chose were sorcerers, or whether they were great warriors. What did Moses do? He took a staff in his hand, and I don’t know what he did with it, and when he came against them, I don’t know what incantation he uttered that weakened them and they fell before them; that is what is written: “Joshua weakened Amalek and its people by sword” (Exodus 17:13).
They came against Siḥon and Og, the mighty of our land, against whom no creature can prevail, and I don’t know how he killed them. The kings of Midian came against them, and I don’t know how they killed them. Moreover, what did the disciple of that man Moses do? He brought Israel into the land of Canaan, and not only did he take their land, but he killed thirty-one of their kings, and allotted their land to Israel. He had no mercy on them, and those whom he did not seek to kill became their slaves. They came against Sisera and his multitudes and I don’t know what they did to the Kishon Stream that it swept and washed them away and cast them into the Mediterranean Sea, as it is stated: “The Kishon Stream swept them away” (Judges 5:21).
They had their first king, Saul was his name, and he went and waged war in the land of my grandfather Amalek, and he killed one hundred thousand of their cavalrymen in one day, and he had no mercy on man, woman, infants and suckling babes, and I do not know how he killed them. In addition, what did he do to my ancestor Agag, upon whom they initially had mercy? Ultimately, a man from them named Samuel came and beheaded him, and left his flesh for the birds of the heavens, as it is written: “Samuel cut Agag into pieces” (I Samuel 15:33), and I do not know why he killed him in this unusual way, as you have heard.
After this, they had a certain king named David son of Yishai, who destroyed and eliminated all the kingdoms and had no mercy on them, as it is stated: “David would not leave man or woman alive” (I Samuel 27:11). His son Solomon arose after him and built a certain building for Israel and called it the Temple. I don’t know what they had in it. When they go to war, they enter into it and engage in sorcery there, and when they emerge from it, they kill and destroy the world.
And with all the prosperity that they had, they rebelled against their God, and in addition, that God of theirs had grown old. Nebuchadnezzar came and burned that Temple of theirs, exiled them from their land, and brought them into our midst, but they have not yet changed their ugly ways. Even though they are in exile in our midst, they mock us and the faith of our gods.
Now we have arrived at a consensus, and have cast lots to eliminate them from the world to determine the time that it will be feasible to annihilate them, and the lot fell on the thirteenth day of the month of Adar. Now, when these letters reach you, be prepared for that day, to destroy and kill all the Jews among you, from lad to elder, children and women, on one day, and do not leave from them remnant or refugee.
When those letters were sealed and given to Haman, he and all the members of his entourage proceeded joyfully. They met Mordekhai, who was walking ahead of them. Mordekhai saw three children who were coming from school and Mordekhai ran after them. When Haman and his entire entourage saw that Mordekhai was running after the children, they followed Mordekhai to ascertain what Mordekhai would ask them.
When Mordekhai reached the children, he asked one of them: ‘Recite your verse to me.’ He said to him: ‘“Fear not from sudden terror, and from the cataclysm of the wicked when it comes”’ (Proverbs 3:25). The second began and said: ‘I read today and with this verse I left school: “Take counsel and it will be negated; speak something and it will not stand, as God is with us”’ (Isaiah 8:10). The third began and said: ‘“Until old age I am He and until gray hairs I will bear you; I have done and I will carry; I will bear and I will rescue”’ (Isaiah 46:4).
When Mordekhai heard this, he laughed and was overjoyed. Haman said to him: ‘What is this joy that you rejoiced when hearing the words of these children?’ He said: ‘It is over the good tidings of which they apprised me, that I need not fear the evil designs that you counseled against us.’ Immediately, the wicked Haman became angry and said: ‘I will strike at none other than these children first.’
Rabbi Yitzḥak Nappḥa said: The wicked Haman came with a great scheme to indict Israel; that is what is written: “Upon the completion of those days, the king made a banquet for all the people who were present in the Shushan citadel” (Esther 1:5). The people mentioned here are none other than Israel; that is what is written: “Happy are you, Israel, who is like you? A people redeemed by the Lord…” (Deuteronomy 33:29). Haman said to Aḥashverosh: ‘The God of these people hated licentiousness. Provide them with prostitutes, make a banquet for them, and decree that they must all attend and eat and drink and do as they please,’ as it is stated: “To act in accordance with the wishes of each man” (Esther 1:8).
When Mordekhai saw this, he arose and proclaimed, saying to them: ‘Do not go to eat at the banquet of Aḥashverosh, who invited you only to prosecute you, so there will be a basis for the attribute of justice to prosecute you before the Holy One blessed be He.’ They did not heed the words of Mordekhai, and they all went to the banquet house.
Rabbi Yishmael said: Eighteen thousand five hundred went to the banquet house and ate, drank, became intoxicated, and were corrupted. Immediately, the Accuser arose and informed on them before the Holy One blessed be He and said before Him: ‘Master of the universe! How long will you cleave to this nation, who remove their heart and their trust from you? If you will, eliminate this nation from the world because they are not repenting before you.’ The Holy One blessed be He said: ‘What will become of the Torah?’ He said to Him: ‘Master of the universe! It will be satisfied with those above. He also resolved to eradicate Israel. At that moment, the Holy One blessed be He said: ‘Why do I need a nation for which I made many of my signs and wonders against all who rose against them to harm them? “I would terminate their memory from man”’ (Deuteronomy 32:26).
Immediately, the Holy One blessed be He said to the Accuser, ‘bring Me a scroll, and I will write eradication on it.’ At that moment, the Accuser went and brought Him a scroll and He wrote on it.
Immediately, the Torah emerged in widow’s garb and raised its voice in weeping before the Holy One blessed be He, and the ministering angels screamed in response to its weeping. They said before Him: ‘Master of the universe, if Israel is abolished from the world, what need is there for us in the world, as it is stated: “Behold, their angels cry out outside, the messengers of peace weep bitterly”’ (Isaiah 33:7). When the sun and the moon heard this, they withheld their light, as it is stated: “I will garb the heavens with blackness and make sackcloth their garment” (Isaiah 50:3).
At that moment, Eliyahu of blessed memory ran in a panic to the eternal patriarchs, and to Moses son of Amram, and said to them: ‘How long will the patriarchs of the world remain dormant in sleep, and not pay attention to the trouble which your descendants are undergoing, over which the ministering angels, the sun, the moon, the stars, the constellations, the heavens, the earth, and all the hosts of the heavens are weeping bitterly, and you are standing by, and not paying attention?’
They said to him: ‘Why?’
He said to them: ‘Because they derived benefit from the banquet of Aḥashverosh. Because of that, a decree was issued against them to eliminate them from this world and to expunge their memory.’
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob said to him: ‘If they violated the laws of the Holy One blessed be He and their decree was sealed, what can we do?’
Eliyahu then said to Moses: ‘Loyal shepherd, how many times have you stood in the breach on Israel’s behalf, and you cancelled the decree so He would not destroy, as it is stated: “Were it not for Moses, His chosen one, who stood before Him in the breach to turn back His wrath from destruction” (Psalms 106:23). How will you respond to this trouble, “for the children have come to the birth stool, [but there is no strength to give birth]”?’ (Isaiah 37:3).
Moses said to him: ‘Is there an honest person in this generation?’
He said to him: ‘There is, and his name is Mordekhai.’
He said to him: ‘Go and let him know, so that he will stand in prayer there, and I will do so from here, and we will ask for mercy for them before the Holy One blessed be He.’
He [Eliyahu] said to him: ‘Loyal shepherd, the letter of annihilation of Israel has already been written.’
Moses said to him: ‘If it is sealed in mortar, our prayer will be heard, but if it is sealed in blood, what was [decreed] will be.’
He said to him: ‘It is sealed with mortar.’
Moses said to him: ‘Go and let Mordekhai know.’
He immediately went and let Mordekhai know;
that is what is written: “Mordekhai knew everything that had been done, and Mordekhai rent his garments” (Esther 4:1). When they told Esther, immediately, “the queen was greatly agitated” (Esther 4:4). What is the meaning of agitated? It teaches that she began menstruating.