וכל מעשה תקפו וגבורתו ופרשת גדלת מרדכי אשר גדלו המלך הלוא הם כתובים על ספרי דברי הימים למלכי מדי ופרס
“All his mighty and powerful acts, and a full account of the greatness to which the king advanced Mordechai, are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Madai and Persia.” (Esther 10:2)
At the very end of the Megillah, we are told that the full story of Achashveirosh’s reign in Persia is written: על ספרי דברי הימים למלכי מדי ופרס – “On the history books about the kings of Madai and Persia.” The Megillah here is informing us that more material about the history of the time period of the Purim story is available in other texts, but the facts that we need to know appear here, in Megillas Esther. Every history book is written from its particular perspective, and we need to make sure to learn our history from the texts which were written with the correct perspective. Therefore, the Megillah emphasizes that although other information is written elsewhere, the information that we need in order to understand the story of Purim from a proper Torah perspective is written here, in the Megillah.
Rav Chaim Ha’kohen of Aram Soba (1585-1655), however, adds further insight into this pasuk. Achashveirosh was a very evil man, who authorized the extermination of an entire nation without giving it a second thought – but nevertheless, there is something very important that we can learn from him. Namely, he made a point of writing down the favors done for him, and repaying those who did those favors. The Megillah tells that Achashveirosh had it written in the empire’s chronicles that two servants plotted to assassinate him, and their plot was foiled by Mordechai. And when Achashveirosh discovered that Mordechai was not rewarded for this, he immediately demanded that he be granted special honor and distinction in gratitude for saving his life. This is something we can all learn from Achashveirosh, and that we all should learn.
Rav Chaim Ha’kohen interprets on this basis the pasuk, .על ספרי דברי הימים Although the history books written by the Persian scribes, quite obviously, have no sanctity, they nevertheless received an “aliya” – an “elevation” – by virtue of the fact that they speak of Achashveirosh’s admirable quality of gratitude. And thus the pasuk states:על ספרי דברי הימים, using the word “al” (literally, “on”), as opposed to the prefix “be-“ (“in”), to allude to the fact that these books received an “aliya,” they acquired some level of importance and value, because they teach us about the importance of showing appreciation.
We all are the beneficiaries of kindness. Our family members, our friends, our work associates, and so many other people in our lives are constantly doing things to help us. If Achashveirosh understood the importance of showing appreciation and feeling a debt of gratitude, then certainly we should, as well. Just as importantly, we are all the beneficiaries of Hashem’s great kindness each and every moment of our lives. As in the time of the Purim story, these kindnesses are often hidden, or otherwise difficult to see and recognize. But we need to pay attention, open our eyes and take note of all that Hashem does for us. When we live with this mindset, being attuned to recognize and appreciate Hashem’s unlimited kindness, we will experience true joy and happiness each and every day, celebrating all the good in our lives and feeling fortunate and blessed to have received so much from our Creator.
