The Gr"a says that Mordechai acted: כְ מוֹ שֶ הוּינוֹא אֵ as if Haman wasn’t there! This takes years of working on Shaar HaBitachon, and Novardokers were involved in loads of Pratim (which build: תיצוּמִ אַ courage) until they became like this. They quoted Shaar HaBitachon: אֵ ין הַ תוֹעֶ לֶ ת וְהַ נֶזֶק מִ ן בְ רָ א אֶ לָ א מִ ן הַ בוֹרֵ אהַ נִ פרק ד “People cannot help you or harm you; only Hashem can”, meaning that you feel as if the people standing before you are non-existent!
You realize that they are all mere: אִ רָ בְ נִ ים Hashem’s creations, without any true Koach; even if they are rich, scary, and important people. It is worth years of Mussar training and general working on the Midda of: תַ שְ הִ ווּת Hish'tavus (all is equal to me), i.e. “I don’t care if they love me or hate me”, and Mordechai was known for this. This is true Bitachon in Hashem and not Bitachon in people.
The Gemara says that Esther wanted to point to Achashverosh, since in truth he was the Rasha. But a Malach forced her to point to Haman. The Gr"a explains that Esther’s mind and heart were totally with Hashem. No wonder Mordechai and Esther were Zoche to the most Gevaldige Ness of Purim for Klal Yisroel, since they both had Middas HaHish'tavus, and people’s opinion didn’t matter to them.
And Mordechai was a Rosh Sanhedrin, and Sanhedrin means: דִ ים בְ נִ ת פָ רַ דְ א הַ נֵ וֹשיןרע"ב סוטה ט יא (one who detests playing favorites). And: ל ֹא תָ גוּרוּ מִ פְ נֵי אִ יש דברים א יז “Do not fear any man” is an Ikar Mitzvas Lo Sa’aseh for Sanhedrin. If you want to get an idea how Mordechai became so great in Hish'tavus, take a look at the Malbim who says that when Esther sent clothes for Mordechai to wear, she didn’t mean for him to take off his sackcloth, rather he should wear them on top, in order to allow him entry into the area before the Shaar HaMelech. But Mordechai refused, and he Davka wore the sackcloth visibly on top for all to see, because he didn’t want to stop davening to Hashem for even a moment, which would seem like a departure from his Bitachon and relying instead on the help of Hishtadlus.
Look how Mordechai goes out of his way not to impress a king! The Ralbag and Malbim explain the reason why Mordechai refused to bow to Haman, because in those days, if a person had any Ma'ala, e.g., Chochma, Gevura, or Osher (wealth), they would turn him into a g-d, like Nevuchadnetzar wanted to do to Daniel. The Ramban says the same idea.
This applies to our own lives, when we become so afraid and gripped with awe and total respect for talents and Chochma and Gevura and Osher (wealth). Don’t make a god out of a person! The Ness of Purim was created by two people who were unafraid of the most dangerous and powerful Basar V'dam.
It would be a big Inyan to daven on Purim for true Bitachon, i.e., no more fear of humans! So with Hashem’s help, we can emulate Mordechai and Esther and create our own Yeshuos. Otherwise, just enjoy your Hamantaschen, and thank Hashem for whatever Madrega you may be, no matter how small.
