After Klal Yisroel sinned, taking part in Achashverosh’s feast, the Medrash relates what transpired:
The Torah went out in widow clothes and raised its voice tearfully; the heavenly angles cried out upon hearing the Torah’s wailing saying, “Master of the world, If Klal Yisroel is eradicated from the world what is the need for us?” Upon hearing this the sun and moon ceased giving light. Eliyahu HaNavi ran in panic to the Avos and to Moshe Rabbeinu and said, “Until when will the Avos of the world slumber and not pay heed to the calamity your children find themselves in? The heavenly angles, the Sun, Moon, stars, constellations, Heaven, Earth, and all the Heavenly Hosts are crying in rebellion and you’re standing by and not paying heed!” They responded, “Why?” Eliyahu answered, “For they sinned by Achashverosh’s feast and because of this it was decreed upon them to be eradicated from the world and their memory be forgotten.” Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov responded, “If they violated the holy law and their decree has been sealed what can we do?” (Esther Rabah)
Klal Yisroel did Teshuva, even the little children fasted for three days and three nights crying out to Hashem. However, the decree had been sealed! What was the turning point that saved Klal Yisroel? Let us look again in the Medrash which tells us the words of Esther’s prayer before entering the Achashverosh’s presence to plead for her people:
“Hashem, G-d of Israel, who ruled from the beginning of time and created the Universe, please help Your maidservant! I have been left orphaned, with neither a father or mother, I’m like a pauper who begs from house to house, so too I beg for Your mercy from window to window in Achashverosh’s house. Now, Hashem, bring success to Your poor maidservant and save the sheep of your flock from these enemies who have come upon us. For nothing can hold back Your salvation. You are the Father of orphan’s, stand by this orphan who trusted in Your kindness, and place pity upon me before this man…!
The entire world is coming to an end! Klal Yisroel and all the Heavenly angles are crying out to Hashem! Even the little children are fasting for days! What is the reason Esther says to Hashem that Klal Yisroel should be saved? “Stand by this orphan who trusted in Your kindness!” For even a decree that can stand in the way of all the Heavens and Earth cannot stand in the way of bitachon!
Esther enters the king’s chamber uninvited, in violation of the law, and brings upon herself his wrath. He is about to order his guards to have her killed. The Medrash tells us what follows: And our G-d saw and He had pity upon His nation, and He paid heed to the pain of the orphan who trusted in Him! And He made her pleasing before the king…!
Perhaps this is why Klal Yisroel says every year upon completion of the megillah reading in the prayer of Shoshanas Yaakov: You were their salvation for eternity and their hope in every generation. To proclaim that all who await Your salvation will not be shamed and those who take shield under You will not be shamed forever!
Other parts to this series: Inspiration in Bitachon
