Several years prior to the Redemption from the Babylonian exile, when Mordechai and the Sanhedrin [the Jewish supreme court] tried to stem the tide of degradation, by bringing to the Jewish people the tidings of the impending redemption from Babylonian exile, which was to take place in the not too far off future,
A number of impudent and insolent individuals scoffed at Mordechai's and the members of the Sanhedrin's efforts to get the Jewish people to repent.
Through their mockery, the insolent ones – Satan's messengers – managed to cast doubt in the minds of some of the better Jews who had, up to that time, sincerely believed in the coming Redemption. However, upon hearing the words of the scoffing and impudent non-religious leaders, they too began having doubts about the credibility of the Geulah. The situation was further exacerbated by the fact that aside from Mordechai and some members of the Sanhedrin, nobody else ventured to speak about the coming Redemption.
There were others who did believe in the impending Geulah, but they were silent on this subject. It was impossible for them to say that the Redemption would – G-d forbid – not be coming, for they themselves firmly believed in it. However, they were doubtful as to when the Redemption would take place.
They also did not believe that Mordechai and the members of the Sanhedrin knew the appointed time. Therefore they were completely silent about the matter of Geulah.
Their silence gave support to the words of the evil leaders – Satan's messengers – enabling them to actually scorn and insult Mordechai and the members of the Sanhedrin, and to further lead the Jewish people down the sinful path.
Because of their silence they managed to cast shadows of doubt among those Jews who, up to that time, were not at all dubious about the coming redemption.
These doubts and uncertainties manifested themselves in various ways, but most often in one of two ways. Some Jews totally departed from belief in the Redemption and Torah and mitzvos. Others, while still adhering to some aspects of Torah and mitzvos, lost a certain degree of faith in the coming Redemption, and in various matters became close to the evil leaders who totally denied the Redemption. So it was that Jews of that time sunk ever lower into the depths of sin. This came about through the corrupt influence of the misbegotten leaders who totally denied the existence of G-d and the validity of Torah, as well as through those who were silent on the subject of the tidings of Redemption.
However, “And Mordechai knew all that was happening,” says the Yalkut: Mordechai knew how to heal the torment. He knew what caused all the affliction and he knew the healing measures. Mordechai awakes all the Jews to teshuvah, and assures them of the coming Redemption. The Jewish people steadfastly believe in the coming Geulah, G-d rains good fortune upon the Jewish people through the miracle of Purim, and they merit to the Redemption.
(Sefer HaMaamorim - Yiddish p. 149)
