By Rabbi Dovid Sapirman, Dean, Ani Maamin Foundation
We know that everything that happens in the world serves as a message from Hashem, a reminder to do teshuvah and bring the final geulah. Our teshuvah has been delayed far too long.
Our current predicament is not unique. In a Midrash on Purim, Reish Lakish says that when Haman first proposed to wipe out the Jews, Achashveirosh rejected the idea. He told Haman, “You will not be able to overcome them, because their G-d will never desert them. See what He did to the kings who came before us who lifted their hands to [the Jews]. They were greater and mightier than we, yet whoever stood up to destroy them or plotted against them were taken from the world and made into an example. How much more so we, who are not as great as they! Stop talking about this. Take back this idea.”
Nevertheless, Haman continued to pester him, until finally Achashverosh said, “Let us take counsel from the nations and magicians.” He sent for the wise men of the world, and they all gathered before him. Achashverosh asked, “Do you want to destroy this nation?”
The wise men responded in unison, “Who would want to get involved in this? If you destroy the Jewish people, the world only exists because of the Torah that was given to them...Not only that, but the idol worshippers are called strangers to Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and the Jews are called His closest, His first born, and His children. No nation is closer to Him. Any person who wants to raise his hand against Hashem’s closest, His children, how can he escape? Hashem is ruler over the heavens and the earth, and all life is in His hands. See what happened to the earlier kings, like Pharaoh and Sancherev, who raised their hand against the Jews!”
Haman retorted, “The G-d who drowned Pharaoh and performed all those mighty miracles is already old and powerless. Nevuchadnetzar destroyed His house, burnt His palace, and sent the Jews into exile, scattered among the nations. Where is His strength?”
Haman’s words convinced the wise men and Achashveirosh, and they all agreed to his plan.
Surprisingly, it was clear to the nations that Klal Yisrael is the purpose of creation. But the moment they had Haman’s reassurance that they had nothing to fear, they enthusiastically agreed to wipe them out. One could imagine Haman proposing the same idea to the United Nations, with a similar response today.
Hashem is indeed waiting for our teshuvah, as He was then..
