“Vyzasa” (Esther 9:10)
The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 691:4) rules that the letter ‘vav’ which begins the name Vyzasa (Haman’s youngest son) must be longer than the other letters, based on the Gemara in Megillah (16b). The Maggid Mishnah (Hilchos Megillah 2:12) asks why the Rambam does not mention this halachah, but offers no answer.
Rashi (Shmuel 1, 15:3) explains that when Shaul was commanded to eradicate Amalek, he was told to kill all the animals of Amalek as well, because the Amalekites were sorcerers, and when threatened, they were able to change their appearance to resemble animals. This is significant in light of the Mishnah (Keilim 17:13) which states that dead fish do not become tomei (and are not metamei) as a neveilah, except for the kelev hayam because when threatened, it runs for shore. As it thus identifies itself with land animals, its true tumah status is determined as a land animal which is metamei.
The Medrash states that Achashveirosh donned the clothing of the Kohen Gadol, expecting to receive thereby, priestly status and matnas kehunah [priestly gifts]. One such gift that Achashveirosh (erroneously) believed a Kohen was entitled to was ma’aser behameh (every 10th animal). Achashveirosh held that since when threatened, Amalekites changed into animal form, they had thereby assumed animal status. Therefore, he seized the tenth son of Haman, as a Kohen’s due. Haman disagreed, grabbing hold of Vyzasa, and as the two of them struggled and schlepped at Vyzasa, his “vav” stretched and became longer than the other letters.
However, the Rambam rules that: תקפו כהן אין מוצאין מידו – “Once a Kohen grabs something that might be a priestly gift, we let him keep it”. As such, Haman was not permitted to schlep Vyzasa back from Achashveirosh and so, the Rambam did not mention the halachah of the lengthened “vav”.
