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Why does the Megillah teach that the husband's voice should be the family's voice, and why is this message so important that reading the Megillah takes precedence over Torah (תורה) study and Temple service? The shiur reveals that family unity requires one voice, and the woman's greater inner security allows her to give her husband this role without resentment—making her the true source of family strength. This is not about power, but about who can best handle giving up for the sake of unity.
Rabbi Zweig explores a cryptic Ba'al HaTurim that connects three appearances of the word "venishma" in the Torah (תורה) to explain why reading Megillas Esther takes precedence over both Torah study and Temple service. The Ba'al HaTurim notes that "venishma" appears by Matan Torah ("naaseh venishma"), by the Kohen Gadol's garments ("venishma kolo"), and in Megillas Esther ("venishma pisgam hamelech"). Since the Megillah contains all three contexts—Torah, avodah, and its own unique message—and emphasizes that its message is "powerful," the Megillah's reading takes precedence over everything else. The critical question is: what is this powerful message in the Megillah? The pasuk states that King Achashverosh's edict—issued after Vashti's refusal to appear before him—declared that every man should be "prince in his house" and that the language of the home should be the husband's language. This seems to be about male dominance, but Rabbi Zweig demonstrates that the true depth is entirely different.
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Megillas Esther 1:20-22
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