No community start suggestion yet.
How could Haman's decree to kill all Jews in one day be logistically possible? The decree had two phases: immediate roundups into ghettos, then killing on the appointed day. This explains why Jews mourned immediately despite the year-long delay - they faced instant imprisonment and loss of freedom.
This shiur provides an in-depth analysis of Megillas Esther chapter 3, verses 9-15, examining the mechanics and psychology behind Haman's decree against the Jewish people. Rabbi Zweig begins by analyzing Haman's argument to Achashverosh, explaining that when Haman described the Jews as 'am echad' (one people), he meant they were unified despite being physically dispersed. The core complaint was not about taxes but about civil service - the Jews would say 'Shabbos (שבת) hayom, Pesach (פסח) hayom' when called for mandatory service to the king, effectively avoiding the draft. A crucial insight emerges regarding the seemingly impossible logistics of Haman's decree: killing all Jews in a single day. Rabbi Zweig argues this reveals the true nature of the plan - it wasn't meant to be a one-day massacre but required immediate implementation of roundups and ghettoization. The decree had two phases: first, the immediate rounding up of Jews into controlled areas, and second, the actual killing on the designated day. This interpretation explains why the Jews immediately went into mourning despite the decree being for nearly a year later - they understood they would be imprisoned immediately.
Looking for the full summary?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
Dedicate a Shiur in Navi
L'ilui nishmas a loved one. In honor of a simcha or yahrzeit. As a zechus for a refuah sheleimah. Your dedication helps carry Rabbi Zweig's Torah to learners around the world.
Up Next in this Series
Why did Mordechai react with immediate mourning to Haman's decree when execution was eleven months away? Rashi reveals that Mordechai understood this wasn't merely a human threat but a divine decree already sealed in Heaven, making the Jewish people spiritually dead immediately. This explains why Esther couldn't wait for a safer approach to the king—only by sharing her people's mortal danger could she truly advocate for them.
Why did Hashem insist on giving us Eretz Yisrael rather than creating a new land for us? The shiur explores a Midrash that claims Hashem wanted to show His power by defeating our enemies. This creates an ongoing divine commitment to protect us in a hostile environment where the nations perceive us as thieves of their land.
Why did Shlomo HaMelech combine intellect, physical pleasure, and chukim after each approach individually failed? The shiur develops that humans must acknowledge both their physical nature and spiritual capacity simultaneously. Chukim (called "foolishness" here) teach us to act for internal meaning rather than external approval.
Megillas Esther 3:9-15
Looking for the full transcript?
Full access is available to members of the TUF Alumni Association or the Yam Hagadol Foundation.
Already a member? Let the admin know!
What transforms Esther from passive resistance to commanding the entire Jewish people? Mordechai reveals that her lineage from King Saul creates an opportunity to rectify Saul's failure by defeating Haman (Agag's descendant). This realization transforms her into not just Achashverosh's queen, but the queen of the Jews.
