REPLACING BAD FOR GOOD, FOR GOOD!
There is a running theme throughout the Megillah; everything is turned around from very bad to very good. The cursed Haman is replaced by the blessed Mordechai. The wicked Vashti is replaced by the blessed Esther When we think of being saved from a tragedy through a miracle we thank HaShem for neutralizing the bad situation and resolving it without any consequences. The notion that the evil itself turns to good is noteworthy. It is also noteworthy how much significance our Sages ascribe to Purim. They teach us that once the Geula will come, the other holidays will become less significant but Purim will lose none of her significance. What is it about Purim that stands out?
The destiny of this world is to become the resting place for HaShem’s Presence. In order for that to happen all of mankind will recognize the Yichud of HaShem, the Oneness of HaShem or the Unity of HaShem. In order to accomplish this it is necessary for a series of events to happen which will demonstrate HaShem’s absolute Sovereignty.
To appreciate the Unity of HaShem it is critical to be able to discern various sources of energy and after these series of events occur it becomes clear that HaShem is the source of all those varied energies. In this way, our appreciation of how His Power is absolute – higher than all the other powers we discerned before. If, however, there was only one source of energy to begin with, our sense of appreciation of HaShem’s Unity would be diminished. Only after we see multiple energies and all are seemingly significant, and then HaShem rises above them, His Unity is magnified many times over.
In order to demonstrate His Unity, the series of events must include a revolution against HaShem and He decimates the uprising thereby demonstrating His superiority. However, there are two methods to vanquish the revolutionaries. One method is to simply destroy them with brute strength. The second method involves more cunning, but is much more effective. Allow the revolutionaries a successful revolution and grant them free reign to do as they wish and only after they have become drunk with victory, then clobber them to pieces. The second method carries in it a liability. Once the revolutionaries have the upper hand who says the stronger one will be able to vanquish them. How-ever, if the superior one is HaShem and everything is within His control then certainly the second method demonstrates far great-er control.
When we left Egypt, HaShem simply clobbered Pharoah and the Egyptians. It was with the greatest plagues that Mankind has ever seen but it was limited to the first method. When HaShem brings the world to its destiny, it will be through the second method. He will allow the revolutionaries to taste the sweetness of success and they will drink their cup of victory until they become intoxicated. At that point, HaShem will use their victory to overthrow them. The world will witness how what seemed to be an apparent revolution against HaShem was actually coordinated by HaShem Himself in order to throw them over.
The significance of Purim lies specifically in the reversal of Haman’s successes into the trap in which Haman met his demise. This is the holiday that will be played out in our final redemption. Every evil itself will be turned to good. Haman is replaced by Mordechai and Vashti is replaced by Esther. It will be clear that there really is no evil at all. It is all a scheme by which we will recognize the absolute Unity of HaShem.
Have a freilichin PUЯIM and a very wonderful Shabbos!!
Paysach Diskind