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Why did Mordechai command Esther to hide her Jewish identity when the reason seems obvious? Both understood through Divine providence that Esther would become queen to save the Jewish people, but they debated timing. Esther wanted to immediately reveal her identity to restore Jewish pride, while Mordechai held that self-hating Jews needed to first hit rock bottom before genuine teshuvah could occur.
Rabbi Zweig continues his analysis of Megillas Esther, focusing on Perek 2, Pasuk 9 and the dynamics between Mordechai and Esther. He addresses the fundamental question: why did Mordechai need to command Esther not to reveal her Jewish identity, when Rashi (רש"י)'s explanation that it would lead to her being taken seems obvious? The shiur presents a revolutionary understanding of the Megillah story. Rabbi Zweig explains that both Mordechai and Esther understood through Divine providence that she was destined to become queen and marry Achashverosh. This wasn't punishment but rather Heaven's plan for the salvation of the Jewish people. The debate wasn't whether this should happen, but rather the timing of when Esther should reveal her Jewish identity.
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Megillas Esther 2:9-17
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