The Mayor Of Jerusalem Learns A Lesson
Aug 17th, 2010 | By admin | Category: 2007-8, Archivesby Rabbi Yisrael Rutman
“One who reads the Megilah (the story of Esther), backward, has not fulfilled his obligation.” That is the law, but it’s a peculiar notion. Why would anyone think to read it backwards? Some interpret the mishna homiletically: that we should not regard it as mere history, which holds no relevance for us in our time. On the contrary, the fact that the Sages decreed the public reading of it twice each year on Purim (by night and by day) indicates their understanding that it holds lessons for us in modern dress, as well.
This year, in particular, one of the lessons of the Megilah has been of timely significance. When President Bush visited Jerusalem recently, he met, as expected, with the prime minister and other Israeli dignitaries. As usual, virtually every minute was carefully planned and choreographed down to the last handshake and photo-op. There was, however, one meeting which was not in the itinerary—with the mayor of Jerusalem, Rabbi Uri Lopoliansky. At the behest of the eminent Torah scholar Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliyashuv, the mayor requested a talk with the U.S. president. When Lopoliansky tried to explain to Rabbi Eliyashuv that it constituted a breach of diplomatic etiquette, and it was not his place to enter into affairs of state, the latter brushed his reservations aside. He wanted to be sure that his concerns about the fate of the Jewish people in Israel—particularly regarding the threat from Iran, Egypt and Syria—would be brought directly to the president.
Rabbi Eliyashuv deflected the mayor’s hesitance with a quote from Megilat Esther, to be read in the synagogue less than two weeks from now: When Mordechai pressed Esther to ask for a meeting with King Achashveurus to plead for the protection of the Jews against the anti-Semitic Haman, she hesitated. Esther explained that even in her position as queen she was only to enter his chambers when summoned, and that initiating a talk with the king could incur his royal wrath. She would be putting herself in real danger. (One must bear in mind here that Achashveurus had the previous queen executed in the opening episode of the Megilah, and Esther’s fears were well warranted.) Mordechai told her: And who knows whether it was just for such a time as this that you attained the royal position (Esther 4:14). Her elevation to royal status from humble origins was no accident, but Divine providence. If she failed to act on behalf of her people, salvation, he told her, would come from elsewhere. God has no shortage of ways and means to effect His will. As for her, if she shirked her role, she would be consigned to oblivion.
The message for Jerusalem’s mayor was unmistakable: who knows whether he was elected to his office not to ensure reliable garbage pickup and participate in an endless series of ceremonial functions, but just for such an opportunity, to act as an unscheduled emissary for the Jewish people in a time of peril. Lopoliansky understood the message, and undertook the task of delivering a personal letter to President Bush, and explaining Rabbi Eliyashuv’s views.
A similar story is told about a certain yeshiva head who came with his wife to consult with Rabbi Aryeh Leib Steinman of Bnei Brak. The rabbi’s wife complained that her husband was totally consumed not only by his work at the yeshiva but also his broader communal responsibilities. Although he showed the utmost respect and consideration for her when at home, he was hardly ever at home. This, she said, was not the kind of married life that she had ever envisioned, nor was it any longer tolerable for her.
Rabbi Steinman heard her out, and then responded with the same verse from Megilat Esther: And who knows whether it was just for such a time as this that you attained the royal position. He explained that her husband was so in demand because of his extraordinary gifts as a teacher and communal leader. He was endowed with such gifts for the benefit of the Jewish community; that was his purpose in life. Should he resign from some of his positions to spend more time with his family, it just might be that, having abandoned the task for which he was created, his claim on existence might be forfeited. She would then be seeing even less of her husband, because he would be taken from her altogether. Even if it would not come to that, who knows if the disuse of his special abilities would leave him depleted and dispirited? Either way, the consequences were not what she was seeking.
The lesson is by no means restricted to those in high office. Every Jew must realize that he or she is presented with unique opportunities for serving God, helping others, growing and striving for a better life. Sometimes it entails hardships, even physical risk; but who knows whether it was just for such a time as this that you attained the royal position?
Sources: K’motzeih Shalal Rav: Purim, Introduction, quoting Rav Yonason Eybeshutz, Ya’aros Devash (3:3); Jewish Observer, January/Februrary 2008, P. 25; Tuvcha Yaviu, Volume 2, P.35-6.
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