Is jealousy also a theme in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice?
Davka, we're in a year of a double Adar, the month of Purim. Purim is the holiday of masks and drinking and the principle that wine takes off the mask, lets the truth come out. We keep seeing that in all of the revelations of "closet" antisemitism in all sorts of celebrities like Galliano and Gibson.
I'm studying Megillat Ester, the Scroll of Esther in Matan this year, and one of the big questions concerns why Mordechai refused to bow down to Haman. Bowing to a person is not a major sin. There are many examples of Jews bowing to others in the Bible. Jacob bows to his brother Jacob, and Josef's ten older brothers bow to him as Pharaoh's Second in Command, when they have no idea that he's their younger brother. Chazal, our sages, say that his refusing to bow, causing attention to himself was to force Haman to reveal his true feelings. Mordechai had already planted Esther in the king's palace, like a mole awaiting action.
Should we be grateful that the pope has admitted that Jews aren't guilty for the death of Jesus? Will it make a difference? Can the Christians really erase their life-long hatred of Jews and antisemitism?
Going back in history to the very beginnings of both Christianity and Islam, I've written about them as being identity theft. Can their histories be more a matter of "Imitation is the highest form of flattery?" Considering their adoption of our ancient history, our forefathers, our major historic leaders, our Land and for the Christians our entire Bible it's clear that they want to be us. Our continued existence and our successes and return to our historic Holyland is proof of their falsity, the lie of their very basic theology.
Christian and Moslem theologies are based on the supposition that they can supplant Judaism, not only in theory but in Our Land. As we thrive we prove them wrong. There's nothing to talk about. That's the inherent danger in dialoging with other religions like what Rabbi Riskin and Rabbi Froman promote.
Purim and a thorough deep reading of Megillat Ester are lessons for today for Jews in our Holyland and abroad. It is time for all Jews to return home both physically, culturally and spiritually. Once we all do that G-d will assist with all His Might.
Chodesh Adar Tov
Have a Joyful and Good Adar.
Next month is Nissan, the Month of Miracles!
8 comments:
Blessing shiloh. recently i read in an orthodox site (sorry i cant remember more, but G-d willing if and when i come across it, i will post it to you). that mordechai did not bow because there was some form of idol attached to his coat. he refused to bow to that idol. same as benjamin. he did not bow to esau. i think he had not been born then.
nothing important in the pope's admission. its a fact and truth every honest person, jew or gentile knew. so he can do the world a favor and just shut up, and take care of the sexually abused catholic children for a change, and stop proselyting.
The text doesn't say why Mordechai didn't bow. What you mentioned is commentary, just like what I wrote.
And since Benjamin hadn't been born at the time, it doesn't count.
I'd like the pope to apologize for all the murders of Jews his church committed.
I don't need any apologies from the Pope. I just want the Vatican to bug off and not promote our enemies leading to more harm to the Jewish people.
We'll stay in Jerusalem. He can do what he wants in Rome.
Jealously is one of many motives Hashem employs to fire up anti-Semitism. Arrogance is also a catalyst.
There is a rule that "Halacha: Eisav Sonei Et (hates) Yaakov."
However, whether the Jew haters actually succeed in harming us or not is up to our behavior as Hashem's nation.
Yes, Shy, the Vatican should keep its claws off of Mt Zion and other Jewish sites.
We have to do what's right and ignore them. That's the only way to get rid of them. There's nothing rational in their hatred, and it isn't our fault.
blessings batya. here are two sites i had saved on Mordechai. dont know if its what you are looking for.
http://www.torah.org/learning/olas-shabbos/5759/purim.html
http://www.koltorah.org/ravj/Why%20Did%20Mordechai%20Refuse%20to%20Bow%20Down%20to%20Haman.htm
Shalom!
I learned that Mordechai didn't bow down because he was very concerned about the weakness of the Jewish people at the time, especially after Jewish participation in the celebration of the non-rebuilding of the Temple. Mordechai is pointed out as being an "ish" (lit. man), leader (Book of Esther 2:5). All other Jews cleared the streets when Haman approached, but Mordechai stayed, and sometimes even purposely went out into the street to show Haman that Jews are subservient only to G-d.: Rashi (Esth. 3:2) states that Haman made himself into a god. The commentary in Megilat Esther from Mossad HaRav Kook on the same verse mentions that the sort of bowing, kri'ah (כריעה) that Haman demanded is only seen in Jewish texts referring to bowing down before G-d.
10, Hadassa, thanks for the additional commentary.
Post a Comment