An (Un)Wavering Approach
Prior to the third day of a communal fast and prayer vigil (mandated by Queen Esther to atone for the Jews’ sinful indulgence in the king’s ostentatious merrymaking) Esther’s appearance at the king’s side had been mere perception – for Hashem had heretofore dispatched a phantasm double in her stead.
But as she prepared to take the initiative and approach the king’s throne without being summoned stepping foot into the most critical role of her royal tenure Esther donned her most resplendent regal attire. Imbued with a prophetic and holy spirit – ruach hakodesh – the queen proceeded through the palatial chambers. As she moved past the king’s idols along her way the ruach hokodesh abruptly departed from her. Esther cried out to God and His holy essence enveloped her once again.
The king bristled as he beheld the queen advancing from afar. He was at once overcome with fury at her defiance of protocol and nostalgia for his former queen who was dispatched for disobeying his command to appear before him. Achashverosh hung his head to a side a grave and dreaded signal of disfavor.
Al tirchak mimeni beseeched Esther of her Creator. Ki tzora krovah – Don’t detach Yourself from me for distress is near and there is no one to help (Tehillim 22:12). King David composed this prayer (traditionally recited each year on the Fast of Esther) when he prophetically perceived the events of Purim that would transpire hundreds of years hence.)
God’s compassion was instantly aroused – for Esther who was orphaned at birth and for His people who were filled with remorse and genuine repentance. Three angels simultaneously descended upon the scene – one to turn the king’s head forward to face the oncoming queen another to uplift Esther’s head which had slung to her chest in her fearful and weakened state. The third suffused the queen’s countenance with an irresistible cheyn (charisma).
The king extended his golden scepter without further ado. Alas it was yet far from within Esther’s reach. The angel Michael came to her rescue elongating the staff to many times its original span thus enabling the queen to grasp the tip. The scepter miraculously shortened in step with Esther’s progress toward the throne … and the rest is history.
A Purim Song’s High Note
The improper conduct of the Yidden lent Haman the potency to rule over them. Beneath the surface each of us harbors an internal Amalek with the skill to still our enthusiasm in our service to Hashem. This is why every one of us must maintain a consistently fiery zeal in ur performance of mitzvos – and such fervor is to be realized with simcha (joy)!
These moving words of the holy Baal Shem Tov at his enlightening Purim seudah infused the hearts of his chassidim with an ardent passion. Rebbe Meir Margulis known as the Lemberger Rav was among the revelers who had come to immerse themselves in the spiritual gist of the tzaddik’s Purim feast to which he had brought along his young son. Little Shaul was sharp-witted and blessed with an extraordinary talent for song. When they made ready to take leave of their illustrious and affable host the Baal Shem Tov expressed his desire to have the youngster stay on for a brief duration. The rav eagerly complied with this unexpected proposal. To have his son sequestered with the tzaddik hador was an opportunity extraordinaire – one not to be missed.
At the tzaddik’s Shabbos tisch young Shaul was proffered the honor of singing zemiros. His melodious nectar-like voice in harmony with his innocent earnestness enchanted all who were present and contributed to the exalted atmosphere.
