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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