Friday, March 14, 2014

A Purim Thought: Duress Comes in Many Forms

Towards the beginning of Megillat Esther, we read how King Achashverosh threw a big party. At that party we are told (1:8) The drinking was according to the law, without coercion.” I’d like to share a two brief commentaries on this verse. Feel free to utilize/ expand them at your Purim Seudah:

1)      Some commentators note that the word “coercion” (Ones) is written without the letter Vav. They see this as a hint to the fact that the party was not completely without coercion. Rather at the party an announcement went out: “The King desires that you eat of his food and drink of his wine…but you can do whatever you like.” The king’s wishes were made clear, even if it was also expressed that people had a choice. It’s like when a spouse or parent says, “I really want you do to X, but you can do whatever you want.”

2)      Rabbi Yonatan Eibeschutz claims that indeed the party was lacking any coercion whatsoever. And this was exactly the challenge. Freedom and liberty are a challenge for us Jews. History has shown that Judaism has experienced tremendous growth and strengthening in countries where we have been given freedom. At the same time, freedom and liberty has also contributed to unprecedented assimilation. When Napoleon was conquering Europe, there was a dispute among the rabbis in Russia whether to support Napoleon or the Czar. Some felt that the Czar was a tyrant and dictator, and the Jews could only fare better under Napoleon. Others were afraid that if Napoleon was victorious, Jews would be granted freedom; and included in that freedom was the freedom to assimilate and turn one’s back on Torah and Mitzvot.

Achashverosh appreciated the challenge of freedom and hoped that the Jews would be spiritually caught in its trap. What was true in the times of Achashverosh and Napoleon, remains true today.

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