Book of Esther: Chapter 4 (revised study)

Previously, we have come to learn in how we arrived at this point, the decree that Haman had devised against the Hebrew/Jewish population of king Ahasueres' kingdom. It's the same knowledge that also did put Mordecai into a situation of seemingly feeling guilty about it. The new law had been written and it became known to all. And while some do argue that no one of the common people were aware of why they should themselves prepare for the 13th of Adar, wherewith to explain the confusion, then I can't but help feeling otherwise about it. True, it's quite possible that Mordecai will have made the connection between this new edict and how he acted towards Haman, even knowing the wroth that it accumulated against himself and the entire Hebrew nation for not having bowed down before Haman. Therefore, it's fair to assume that Mordecai, it seems, felt responsible, that he took the entire blame upon himself. It should thus not be taken lightly because such a situation will bear heavily upon anyone's shoulders. Of course, it would explain Mordecai's present behavior more obviously, more in line with his profile, meaning a deep religious man who had total respect for G-d. He must have felt perturbed about the whole thing in relation to what he stood for. And even when we probably will never become aware of the full extend of how he must have felt, then we could also take note of the fact that he, based on his argument with queen Esther, could not but feel unease as well regarding the manner he had tutored Hadassah just moments before she would enter Shushan the castle. After all, it must have been not easy for him to ask her to keep her identity a secret, something that clearly without question meant forsaking on every halachic rule, when needed, that could betray her upbringing, who she truly was and is. Still, another subtle hint is given, one that undoubtedly proves that everyone could understand what the waiting was meant for. It became even known to the entire Hebrew/Jewish population, and they didn't run away. Hence, where would you want to run to in the first place in such a large kingdom? You can hardly ask of people who are to become annihilated to run for safety to perhaps even worse enemies of those times, no?

As a result, we do have the right to assume that everything was well known to everyone. But, that it at the same time, like in previous ones, resulted in an upheaval of a more strict religious devotion, not so much of finally coming to terms again with who you truly are, your roots and how good it was, then the hope that started to shine more brilliantly anew, the hope of salvation, of becoming liberated, be freed of the bondage, to be fully who you truly are within your very own nation once again. It is therefore quite understandable, no matter the prophecy, that some could have started to lose all hope after years of exile. Yes, through Judaic studies, whether done now or centuries ago, we always become aware of the deep rooted belief that there is for everything a reason that something happens, or has happened. And in Judaism it means that G-d will one day come to our rescue, will save us out of a dreadful situation. So, we wait and wait, but it's not right to wait anymore. He, that is G-d, wants action from our part, especially when it has something to do with our degree of respect for Him. Yes, sometimes, when hardship befall us, no matter when we are Jewish or a gentile, we tend to look into the wrong direction. We never start looking first and foremost into ourselves, always wanting to blame others instead. Honestly, it's of course human nature to act as such, our ego that doesn't want to see its own image, the truth about itself, in the mirror. But spiritually, we do know better than that. We know that we largely will have to put the blame, for what we mostly assume as unjustified, upon our very own shoulders. True, it's not always as such, and we therefore have to be careful with matters like these, to not create, or constructing the basis for even greater injustice instead of justice. Nevertheless do we have to be prepared, at any moment in time, to stand-up for ourselves, even when this would be against the very personality we have acquainted ourselves with, namely myself. Hence, it is never a surprise, and understandable, that people are losing hope whenever things are not happening fast enough. And here in this particular situation, based on what is taught us about it, we are being submerged within the reality that many Jews must have felt through interpreting the festivities in Shushan the castle, as it was given due to the joy that nothing has happened 'after' 70 years, that the Hebrew/Jewish nation did not return to Eretz Yisrael. Of course, the worst nightmare that can happen to anyone is being thrown before the lions as was done to the prophet Daniel. Only, here it were the ones of our own belief, G-d's authority/existence became attacked by a god's belief in a manner of speaking.

If it was true, then what about G-d? What about everything we stand for, we belief in? Is the king right, and are we wrong? How can that be? Of course, we are a minority, but does that mean that we are wrong? Should we start reneging on who we are and join, assimilate ourselves with the local population, their beliefs? Is it right for us to follow in the same footsteps of our brothers and sisters of the kingdom of Northern Yisrael? Were they so right when many started to worship foreign deities? But how can that be right, when those nations who do belief in them have spilled so much blood, even our own? Is dead thus the end? Is the culture of dead the only right path? Or is our belief in the sanctity of life the path that will truly enlighten the world entire? Have we and our forefathers, even the Patriarchs Avraham, Yitchak and Yaacov been mistaken all along? Is the entire Judaic endeavor all been for nothing, even the Noahide one? Is life thus merely being born and die, and nothing more than that? But what does that tell us about the other one's belief, or beliefs, the one/ones of the king? Does it mean that there is no G-d, that He doesn't exist at all? Hence, should we be afraid of those lions, who symbolize everything that G-d stands for, that they will devour us?

(When you would want to read the revised study in its entirety, then please feel free to click on the following link: http://users.skynet.be/JT/NewDesign/Words/Esther/Esthercenter.html -- Thank you)