Sunday, July 1, 2012

Pirkei Avot Reminder #2 - ESTHER

Again on Shabbat Parshat Chukat, I was learning Pirkei Avot with HaRav Yisrael Meir Lau, shlita, and came across another reminder that we are getting closer to beginning our trek to Shushan.
Perek Six, Mishnah Six tells us the 48 ways we can acquire Torah. They include: study, an attentive ear, serving the sages, discussions with students....
The last way mentioned is quoting something in the name of its author.
The Mishnah continues, "From this [last] you learn that whoever says something in the name of its author brings redemption to the world. As the verse states, 'Esther told the king in the name of Mordechai'. (Esther 2:22)
Rav Lau writes, "The redemption of Israel through the Purim miracle came about via Queen Esther, who spoke to the king in the name of Mordechai."
This is how we understand that our future redemption will come about when people reveal the source of their words and "quote something in the name of the author."
Rav Lau continues, "When Mordechai the Jew hear Bigtan and Teresh plotting to assassinate Achashverosh (Esther 2:21-23), he reported that information to Esther, who 'spoke to the king "in the name of Mordechai"'. Her chief concern was to increase the king's positive feelings toward Mordechai."
... Esther herself "had learned of the plot of Bigtan and Teresh through Divine Inspiration. Neverthless, she suppressed her own prophecy and did not report these words in her own name, so that Mordechai might have the honor of being recognized as the man who saved the king's life."
Thank you, Pirkei Avot for your wonderful messages of "Good luck" through your eternal words. We're on the way to Shushan.

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